Narberth commission to revive long-stalled shade tree ordinance

The Narberth Shade Tree Commission agreed to restart work on a solicitor‑reviewed shade tree ordinance that members say stalled after a change in borough management. Chair (S2) and several committee members said the draft was completed through legal review years ago but was never taken to a full council vote.

Committee member (S3) said the commission previously researched other municipalities’ tree powers and produced a draft that the solicitor reviewed: "I'll make a motion to accept the minutes as written," she said earlier in the meeting while conducting routine business, noting the commission has documented work on the ordinance and related correspondence with former committee leads.

Members described a change in borough administration as the key reason the ordinance did not progress. "There was a change in management," one committee member said, adding the borough later judged the item not a high priority and did not put it on the council docket. Commissioners said they will re-share the solicitor’s memo and the most recent draft with members and place the ordinance on the Shade Tree Commission agenda for April to gather suggested changes.

The commission also agreed to coordinate the ordinance review with finance and administration so the text, and a plain-language 'charge' that states the commission’s mission, are consistent with borough expectations. Commissioners requested notice when the draft is scheduled to move to the infrastructure/public-safety committee so they can attend and present.

The discussion did not produce a final vote on the ordinance; instead the commission committed to re-circulating the solicitor-reviewed draft and returning the item to the next meeting for continued review.