Municipality survey responses

The Town of Webster will soon apply for status as a NYS Climate Smart Community, and as a Tree City USA. The Webster Conservation Board is leading both efforts and would like to learn from your experience.

Thank you in advance for completing the survey.

Dennis Gorlick, PhD Town of Webster Conservation Board, Chair

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NYS Climate Smart Community (CSC)

Is your town a NYS Climate Smart Community? U lS. Registered or Certified? Boyne AIT

Was there opposition within your community to becoming a CSC? yo % . If so, what were the key issues raised by opponents?

How did you address these concerns? yj /A,

What were the most effective CSC messages that resonated with your community? lmy rrtance of Ev Co ywmunitey 1D pitch iw addresciv® climate cbacte How has becoming a CSC benefited your community? Acents cup port Solar panels om perk bu dings barn

Tree City USA program

Is your town a Tree City USA Community? Ut ira

1. Were there concerns from the community about establishing a Tree Board? he , and creating a Town Tree Ordinance? Ye

If so, what were the key issues raised by opponents?

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How did you address these concerns?

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1. Does your town employ an Arborist on the Tree Board, or pay for Arborist services as

needed? {2¢ Shu Ay Deol If so, what services are provided by the Arborist?

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How has becoming a Tree City USA benefited your community? Town 15 far Commititd +o larcline fendi vp 74 prs er vn mgr Atvect Thank you!

Please email responses to Dennis Gorlick dennislestergorlick@qmail.com Or Chuck Zlotkus zlotkustc@gqmail.com

Or hand them to Chuck at a EMC meeting.

The Town of Webster will soon apply for status as a NYS Climate Smart Community and as a Tree City USA. The Webster Conservation Board is leading both efforts and would like to learn from your experience.

Thank you in advance for completing the survey. Dennis Gorlick, PhD Town of Webster Conservation Board, Chair

NYS Climate Smart Community (CSC)

1. Is your town a NYS Climate Smart Community? No Registered or Certified? NA

2. Was there opposition within your community to becoming a CSC? See Below If so, what were the key issues raised by opponents?

The Town did not have any “opponents”. The Town Board requested that the Energy and Environmental Conservation Committee (EECC) investigate the program and identify any costs or benefits of obtaining certification. At the conclusion of their review, the EECC sent a letter to the Town Board, wherein it was stated that the EECC members generally believed that the Town’s efforts and resources would be better allocated to developing a comprehensive decarbonization, mitigation, and adaptation plan tailored specifically to the Town's needs and goals. They also recommended that, should the Town Board pursue the CSC certification in the future, the Town should hire a grant writer specific for this program to lessen the workload of existing staff members. The EECC also identified that the Town has been able to qualify and receive CSC grants despite not participating in the program.

How did you address these concerns? The Town is currently working on Phase 1 of its Climate Action Plan, which will focus on Town operations only, with plans for Phase Il to encompass the Town’s boundary with broad community engagement, and Phase ill leveraging the findings of Phases | and II to develop a communitywide Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Resiliency Plan.

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3. What were the most effective CSC messages that resonated with your community? While neither | nor the EECC can speak for the whole Penfield community, the EECC identified the following benefits when reviewing the CSC program:

e Better scores on grant applications for some state funding programs, like DEC’s

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State-level recognition for each community's leadership

A robust framework to organize local climate action and highlight priorities

Streamlined access to resources, training, tools, and expert guidance

Networking and sharing best practices with peers

Cost savings through greater efficiency, saving taxpayer dollars

Greater energy independence and energy security

Improved air quality from switching to clean energy

Conservation of green spaces for recreation and biodiversity

Investment in an economy that supports sustainability, green businesses, and

green innovation

Healthier, more walkable urban centers through smart growth

Reduction of future flood risk through climate change adaptation strategies

Greater engagement with residents who care about the future of their hometowns

Greenhouse gas emissions reduction

Build resilience to the impacts of climate change

Improve community public health and safety

4. How has becoming a CSC benefited your community? NA

Tree City USA program 1. Is your town a Tree City USA Community? Yes

2. Were there concerns from the community about establishing a Tree Board? The Town of Penfield does not have a Tree Board. The Town's Tree Ordinance (Chapter 170: Public Trees) established the Town’s Department of Public Works (DPW) as the Tree Department, and gives them the authority and responsibility to plant, prune, maintain, and remove public trees within the guidelines of the Town Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice, the Town Design and Construction Specifications, and the Town Forestry Plan. The ordinance also states that the DPW shall coordinate with other Town Departments to develop and review the Town's tree care standards.

When considering whether to establish a Tree Department versus a Tree Board, the Town considered what the current level of oversight was for Public Tree care and how that would be changed by the establishment of either of these bodies. It was determined that the preference would be to establish a Tree Department that was tasked with maintaining the Town Forest by the standards and specifications set forth in the Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice and the Town Forestry Plan, which will be written and reviewed with the consultation of a professional arborist.

and creating a Town Tree Ordinance? Some of the main concerns were: e Clearly communicating that the ordinance was establishing authority over trees on Town-owned property and Town rights-of-way, NOT private trees. This was addressed by clearly defining what a “Public Tree” is in the ordinance.

e Some ofthe early public comments mentioned concerns over the Director of DPW having full authority over the Public Trees. The Town addressed this by establishing that the DPW must maintain Public Trees according to the Town's specifications, which are developed in collaboration with several Town departments and with the consultation of a professional arborist.

e We received comments asking that the ordinance specifically focus on planting native trees. This request ultimately was not addressed in the ordinance, but rather in the Town’s Design and Construction Specifications, and will be addressed in the Town's Forestry Plan.

* The EECC was concerned about passing the tree ordinance prior to completing the Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice and the Town Forestry Plan. Town staff assured the EECC that the DPW staff tasked with maintaining Public Trees receive regular training on tree planting and maintenance, and that the Town’s tree care standards would be best defined after a Public Tree survey was completed and the Town contracted the services of a professional arborist. The Town Board tasked Town staff in their approval resolution for the tree ordinance to

3. If so, what were the key issues raised by opponents?

| wouldn't say the Town’s efforts to join Tree City USA had “opponents”. Rather, we had a couple of residents provide public comment, hoping to improve the tree ordinance (see response #2 above).

4. How did you address these concerns?

See response #2 above.

5. Does your town employ an Arborist on the Tree Board, or pay for Arborist services as

needed? No, however, the Town’s tree ordinance requires that the Town consult with an arborist when producing or updating either the Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of

Practice or the Town Forestry Plan. our tree evlinance inc ha df

If so, what services are provided by the Arborist? the} i al enint to dewdep alte See above. Cra io P lew - { ooking va Gymts co over thecost ey partial 5. What were the most effective tree-related messages ‘that resonated with YOUr ¢ ap /-. community? | think this is best summarized in the intent and purpose of the tree ordinance, wherein we state that the “purpose of this chapter to enhance the quality of life and the present

and future health, safety, and welfare of all residents, to enhance property values, and to ensure proper planting and care of trees on public property.”

6. How has becoming a Tree City USA benefited your community?

Town residents and staff now have a clearer understanding and appreciation of how our Public Trees are maintained, which results in more efficient management of the Town Forest and greater opportunities for improvement. Also, the Town now has clearly defined goals for developing Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice and a Town Forestry Plan.

Participating in Tree City USA offers us exclusive opportunities to learn about NYS Forestry trends and best practices, as well as grant opportunities at the annual Arbor Day Foundation Certification Recognition Lunch. While we have yet to receive any forestry-related grants, we anticipate applying for the NYSDEC’s UCF1 — Tree Inventory and Community Forest Management Plan grant when it opens later this year.

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The Town has also been committed to hosting an annual Arbor Day Celebration as part of our qualification for Tree City USA. This event has grown over the years to highlight not just an annual tree planting and reading of the Arbor Day Proclamation, but we also invite community groups and companies that offer information and services related to sustainable goods and practices to benefit our residents. Our key partners in organizing this event have been the National Drive Electric Month Event organizers and Color Penfield Green.

Thank you! Please email responses to Dennis Gorlick dennislestergorlick@gmail.com

Or Chuck Zlotkus zlotkustc@gmail.com

Or hand them to Chuck at a EMC meeting.

The Town of Webster will soon apply for status as a NYS Climate Smart Community, and as a Tree City USA. The Webster Conservation Board is leading both efforts and would like to learn from your experience.

Thank you in advance for completing the survey. Dennis Gorlick, PhD Town of Webster Conservation Board, Chair

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NYS Climate Smart Community (CSC) 1. Is your town a NYS Climate Smart Community? S Registered or Certified? Avonz< — (oarvbY¥rr

2. Was there opposition within your community to becoming a CSC? N O If so, what were the key issues raised by opponents?

How did you address these concerns?

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4. How has becoming a CSC benefited your community? | ; A Via) - \nuweagcd elFvrurre, | 9 ; — rnd 6 fy EV Chormers SO or = WA eaten OP PAA

Tree City USA program

1.ls your town a Tree City USA Community? MAS

2. Were there concerns from the community about establishing a Tree Board? N6 , and creating a Town Tree Ordinance? O . Noy oA 3. If so, what were the key issues raised by opponents? = yen y y Opp yee Drees Wt Gye

4.How did you address these concerns?

5. Does your town employ an Arborist on the Tree Board, or pay for Arborist services as

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5. What were the most effective Tree related messages that resonated with your community?

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Please email responses to Dennis Gorlick dennislestergorlick@gmail.com Or Chuck Zlotkus zlotkustc@qmail.com

Or hand them to Chuck at a EMC meeting.

The Town of Webster will soon apply for status as a NYS Climate Smart Community, and as a Tree City USA. The Webster Conservation Board is leading both efforts and would like to learn from your experience.

Thank you in advance for completing the survey. Dennis Gorlick, PhD Town of Webster Conservation Board, Chair

OK to contact you for more information? If so, contact info:

NYS Climate Smart Community (CSC)

1. Is your town a NYS Climate Smart Community? Yes Registered or Certified? We are currently Registered. We were Bronze Certified but this has expired so we are in the process of recertification.

2. Was there opposition within your community to becoming a CSC? No . Ifso, what were the key issues raised by opponents?

How did you address these concerns?

3. What were the most effective CSC messages that resonated with your community?

Having a structured process and guidelines for achieving climate actions related to mitigation and adaptation. Being part of a larger climate community taking actions together.

4. How has becoming a CSC benefited your community?

Aside from reducing GHG emissions and building resilience, it has opened up numerous funding opportunities.

Tree City USA program

1. Is your town a Tree City USA Community? yes .

2. Were there concerns from the community about establishing a Tree Board? no , and creating a Town Tree Ordinance? no

3. If so, what were the key issues raised by opponents?

4, How did you address these concerns?

5. Does your town employ an Arborist on the Tree Board, or pay for Arborist services as needed?

The City does not have a tree board, however we have a fully staffed and funded Forestry

Division. The City Forester oversees the work of the division

If so, what services are provided by the Arborist? We are responsible for the care and maintenance of all trees on City right of way, parks, cemeteries, and other city-owned properties.

Trimming, Removals, Plantings, Stump Grinding

5. What were the most effective Tree related messages that resonated with your community?

Discussions focused on tree benefits have had a positive impact on the public perception of trees in the community

6. How has becoming a Tree City USA benefited your community? Rochester has been a Tree City USA for 45 years. This reflects the City’s strong commitment to the maintenance and perpertuation of its urban forest and the important benefits which it provides

Tree City USA program

1. ls your town a Tree City USA Community? yes . 2. Were there concerns from the community about establishing a Tree Board? no. ,and creating a Town Tree Ordinance? no

3. If so, what were the key issues raised by opponents?

4,. How did you address these concerns?

5. Does your town employ an Arborist on the Tree Board, or pay for Arborist services as needed?

The City does not have a tree board, however we have a fully staffed and funded Forestry

Division. The City Forester oversees the work of the division

if so, what services are provided by the Arborist? We are responsible for the care and maintenance of all trees on City right of way, parks, cemeteries, and other city-owned properties.

Trimming, Removals, Plantings, Stump Grinding

5. What were the most effective Tree related messages that resonated with your community?

Discussions focused on tree benefits have had a positive impact on the public perception of trees in the community

6. How has becoming a Tree City USA benefited your community? Rochester has been a Tree City USA for 45 years. This reflects the City’s strong commitment to the maintenance and perpertuation of its urban forest and the important benefits which it provides