Residents should have deep concern regarding Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger’s proposed law on tree removal, which raises serious questions about government overreach and transparency. This rushed proposal was drafted without the knowledge or input of all trustees or the public.
The law would make it illegal to remove a tree within a property setback without obtaining a permit. Residents would need permits to remove any private tree, whether “living, dead, standing or downed.”
The law defines a “regulated tree” as one with a diameter greater than 10 inches. Fines for noncompliance range from $1,000 to $10,000 per tree, and residents who remove a tree without approval could face imprisonment for up to 15 days.
The law specifies that permits only will be issued after approval from the mayor and the trustees or political appointees. Additionally, residents must display the permit on their property for seven days prior to removing a tree, and this process can only be waived if the mayor declares a state of emergency.
A permit also will be required for adding more than 2 inches of fill or soil around a tree. Those failing to obtain one also will face up to $10,000 in fines or potential jail time.
The potential for abuse and favoritism is evident. This law is the result of a hasty, reactive process driven by the mayor, who ignored calls from the environmental committee for nearly a year to craft a comprehensive and balanced policy. Only after facing criticism did Manger rush to produce this overly broad and punitive legislation.
The environmental committee worked diligently to address environmental concerns in a thoughtful manner. They deserve commendation for their efforts, not to be blamed for this poorly written law.
A mandatory public hearing, as required by New York State law, is scheduled for Thursday, February 13, at 6 p.m. I urge residents to attend and voice their objections to this blatant overreach. If enacted, this law would unjustly penalize residents and impose draconian restrictions on private property.
The law should be tabled, rewritten, and renoticed to include public input and align with our shared environmental goals in a way that respects residents. The idiocy of drafting such a punitive law after a year of inaction is typical of behavior that Southampton Village can no longer afford to tolerate.
Demand fairness. File a grievance.
David Rung
Southampton Village
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