HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-75-81 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Director's Report to Public Works Committee of June 9, 1981.
Item: WD-75-81.
Date: May 26, 1981.
Subject: Establishment of Policy in respect of the
Unauthorized Removal of Trees from Town-
owned Property.
Recommendation:
THAT the policy recommended by the Solicitor, .in respect of the
unauthorized removal of trees from Town-owned property, be
formally established by by-law.
Report:
For some considerable time, it has been a matter of great concern
that trees are being taken from Town-owned property (usually road
allowances) without authorization. In the past fifteen months,
two specific incidents have resulted in the loss of trees with an
estimated value of over $14,000. 00 (Fourteen Thousand Dollars)
and the problem of theft is ever increasing, particularly as the
costs of firewood rise.
On June 16, 1980, Council passed Resolution # C-80-570, as follows:
"THAT, in the event o4 the Zo6z, m theft,
o4 tnees, 4tcom pnopekty owned by the Town
o4 Newcutte, the authotr i.zation ,ins heneb y
given that the Town So.e i c iton may take any
action deemed necrosatcy to compensate the
Town 4otc 6uch .tozz on theft".
The foregoing was as a result of the removal of six very large (and
healthy) trees and in practical recognition of the need for guide-
lines with which to meet similar situations.
It would be of considerable benefit to the Town to have a formally
established By-Law and Policy in place, and the Solicitor's
recommendations in this direction (as detailed in the letter of
May 20, 1981) give clear guidelines and procedures for same; it is
felt that this is a necessary step towards the preservation and
protection of Town property.
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�;ir,,i4 Brady & Metnerney SIM'<'Zic.
M.C. WINERNEY
BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS J.F. BRADY
May 20 , 1981
RECEIVED
Mr. Jack Dunham,
Director of Public Works ,
Corporation of the Town of Newcastle , MAY 25
Municipal Buildings,
Hampton, Ontario. WCI"� DEPT.
TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
Dear Mr. Dunham:
Re : Policy for unauthorized removal
of trees from Town property
I am submitting herewith a policy with
respect to the unauthorized removal of -trees from Town
owned property.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1 • No trees shall be removed from Town
owned properties except by Town employees
in the course of -their employment with-
out written approval of the Director or
Deputy Director of Public Works .
2 • Criminal charges for theft under the
Criminal Code of Canada should be laid
against, any person apprehended removing
trees from Town owned property without
written authorization from the Director
or Deputy Director. of Public Works .
3 . The Town shall commence civil proceedings
for the recovery of the value of any
trees removed without the authorization
in writing of the Director or Deputy
Director of Public Works.
4 • The Town publicize the aforementioned
policy by the issuance of a public state-
ment to newspapers having general circul-
ation in the Town.
ONTARIO LIN 4ZI BOX: 358"TELEPHONE: 668•7704
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BACKGROUND
In the recent past there have been a
number of incidents where growing trees have been cut down
for fire wood from Town owned property.
The Town of Newcastle is the largest area
municipality in the Region of Durham ,and, accordingly, is
more exposed than other municipalities to have trees
removed from its road allowances and other municipally
owned lands. Moreover, as the popularity of heating by fire
places and wood burning .furnaces increase and the price of
cut wood rises, there is the increased likelihood of
trees being removed from Town owned lands. A fully grown
tree is irreplaceable and monetary compensation therefor
is not truely adequate for the loss.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Management Committee of Staff have
unanimously supported the foregoing recommendations.
If you have any questions please do not
hesitate to contact me.
Your S t ulY,
David J. D. Sims, Q. C .
DJDS :mrs
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