A proposal to repeal an Oyster Bay Town ordinance that requires permits for tree removal was introduced in the Town of Oyster Bay.

Supervisor John Venditto said the current code has been slammed by many residents as “adding insult to injury” — permit fees on top of “government intrusion,” as he put it.

He invoked former President Ronald Reagan, paraphrasing, “Government typically is not the solution, it’s usually the problem.”

Sea Cliff POC applauds Supervisor Venditto’s strengthening of property owners rights in the Town. Due to the nature of the power grid on Long Island, our electric service is almost entirely dependent on overhead wires strung along telephone phones.  Excessive overgrowth from trees places our electrical service, our health and safety in jeopardy every time a storm passes through. In 2011, Hurricane Irene left areas without power for days due to trees falling on power lines. Road crews needed to remove downed trees from blocked roadways before they could even reach affected areas.

Misguided tree permit ordinances can have other consequences. Falling trees can land on houses and cause property damage and personal injury. Insurance companies may increase premium rates due to rising experience ratings if there are many claims in a given area. Tree permit requirements tend to discourage residents from removing trees in dangerous situations.

Diseased or dead trees are not the only trees that can be danger of falling. Oftentimes a tree that appeared to be healthy will fall in a storm. Even tree experts cannot predict when or where a tree will fall. Therefore it is imperative that residents not be burdened with a tree permitting process.

SCPOC demands that the Village of Sea  Cliff Board of Trustees adopt similar tree regulations  as those proposed by Supervisor Venditto.

Newsday reports on the story:

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/oyster-bay-tree-proposal-baffles-activists-1.3902987