Montvale Council introduces tree ordinance

The Montvale Borough Council introduced an ordinance at its Jan. 14 meeting to establish a tree preservation section in its borough code.

The purpose, according to the ordinance, is to control and regulate the excessive removal and destruction of trees in the borough.

"I think it's a tremendous benefit to this community to not have the possibility for any clear-cutting, which has happened in Montvale recently," said Councilwoman Leah LaMonica, the liaison to the borough's tree ordinance committee.

Robert Hanrahan, chairman of Montvale's Tree Ordinance Committee, presented a draft ordinance last month that would protect against clear-cutting in the borough.

The ordinance - unanimously introduced by the governing body Tuesday - will place restrictions on the number of trees residents are permitted to cut down per year. According to the ordinance, single-family residential zones R-10, R-15 and R-40 may apply for a $35 permit to remove three, four and five trees, respectively. For each tree removed thereafter, the resident will have the option of paying $500 per tree or replacing it. Monies collected will go towards costs associated with tree replacement and planting within Montvale, the ordinance states.

Exemptions include trees located within a nursery, removal of trees which endanger public safety, and the removal or trimming of trees in a public right-of-way. The ordinance will be enforced by the enforcement officer, and any person in violation of the ordinance will be charged at least $2,000 per tree that is improperly removed.

A public hearing will be held on Feb. 11. To view the ordinance, visit Montvale.org.

Email: albrizio@northjersey.com

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Montvale Council introduces tree ordinance