Camden Conservation Commission weighs tree fines, heritage list, planning board role

The Camden Conservation Commission met on October 7 to discuss raising fines for illegal tree removal, reviewing a list of proposed heritage trees, and improving coordination with the Planning Board. Members also heard from Planning Board chair Lucia on how the commission could weigh in earlier on development projects, and reviewed a draft mission statement for the town website.

Key points

• Members agreed the town's current $500 tree removal fine is too low and discussed basing penalties on tree size, using the New England ISA appraisal tool as a reference, with separate categories for street trees, shoreland trees, and heritage trees.
• The group rejected tying fines to assessed property value after a member cited equal protection and Eighth Amendment concerns raised by a research query.
• Members discussed requiring arborists to obtain a town license, with proof of insurance, and possible penalties for licensed cutters who violate the rules.
• A list of seven proposed heritage trees was reviewed, including trees on Harden Avenue, C Street, Elm and Washington, Rawson Avenue, Trim Street, and a copper beech at 58 Washington; members noted additional candidates such as a large ash on Mountain Street.
• Planning Board chair Lucia described three active development projects (Nordhavn, Elm Street across from Rennie's, and a wooded parcel near the Camden Street intersection) and said the commission is not routinely notified of projects that could affect water quality, wetlands, or street trees.
• Members discussed adding the commission to the town's site plan review checklist so it is notified of relevant projects, and reviewed a draft mission statement, agreeing to keep Brian's version with added language on climate change and sea level rise.

Next steps

• Lucia will send members the New England ISA appraisal tool and continue researching fine categories and pricing.
• A member will contact Kathleen to share the heritage tree nomination list with the full commission.
• Members will exchange email suggestions on the mission statement and coordinate with town staff on website language.
• The commission will pursue adding itself to the site plan review notification checklist and continue the conversation with the Planning Board.

Read the full transcript