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1. What is the Village policy with regard to shade tree maintenance?

Shade trees are located throughout the Village usually in the strip of land in the Village right-of-way between the edge of the pavement and the private property line. It has been the Village's practice to perform maintenance on these trees as required based on observations by the Public Works staff or based on requests by the public to either inspect or remove a tree. In the Spring of each year the Highway Division prepares a list of trees needing work and these trees are serviced throughout the summer with the goal of having all work performed prior to the beginning of the fall leaf season (usually about October 15th).

If you believe that a tree is in need of maintenance, please call the Highway Department at 722-1285. Upon notification of a need for maintenance the Village will inspect the tree and decide what action is appropriate.

If the tree is entangled in the electric wires overhead, we will notify Consolidated Edison to remove the canopy of the tree. After Con Ed has "topped" the tree the remainder to the tree trunk will be removed by Village forces. In those cases where the tree is not entangled in the overhead electric wires, the Village will schedule removal of the tree based on our estimate of the danger to the public. Once the tree trunks are removed the remaining stumps are left to naturally disintegrate except in those cases where a specific request is made to have the stump removed. In this case the Village will remove the stump during winter months as time permits.

New trees to replace the removed trees will be replaced only upon request of the adjoining property owner. The Village plants new trees annually in the spring.

2. What should I do in case of a sewage backup?

During normal working hours (7am to 5pm Monday through Friday except holidays) call the Village Department of Public Works at 722-1150 or 722-1285. At all other times call the Police Department at 722-1200. The Police Department will contact the Public Works emergency response crews to inspect the Village main line sewer. It is important that the main line be checked first to make certain that it is not blocked. It is also important that you do not remove the sewer clean out cover in your home until you are certain that the main line sewer (usually in the street) is running freely. Please be sure not to throw anything other than toilet paper in the toilet. Tissue, rags, baby wipes, and other disposable will clog the line.

3. Can I remove trees on my private property?

Activities that require a tree removal permit from the Village Engineer:

1) The removal of 3 or more trees exceeding 6 inches DBH (diameter of a tree trunk measured at 54 inches above the ground) per lot per 12 month period.

2) Trees identified to be removed or protected as a result of a Land Use Board determination.

3) Removal of replacement trees 6 inches or less DBH that are planted as a result of a Land Use Board determination or pursuant to Section 281-10.

4) Removal of tree(s) determined to be preserved by a Land Use Board for at least 2 growing seasons after the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy or Land Use Board approval.

Also, the removal of any of the following species of trees requires a permit from the Village Engineer:

1) American Elm

2) American Beech Tree

3) Heritage Trees (a tree designated by the Board of Architectural Review to be unique and of importance of the community)

4) Any tree in a wetland or wetland buffer area - in accordance with Chapter 171 - Freshwater Wetlands of the Scarsdale Village Code.

A resident may remove a tree(s) on private property as-of-right provided any of the following:

1) Trees 6 inches DBH or less can be removed with no restrictions.

2) Removal of up to 2 trees exceeding 6 inches DBH per lot per 12 month period. A tree removed that is 36 inches DBH or greater must be replaced with a replacement tree.

A tree may be removed under an actual or ongoing emergency for the protection of life or property. If a tree is determined by a Tree Expert to be dead, dying, hazardous or diseased, a report from the Tree Expert must be submitted to the Village Engineer. A tree may also be removed if considered an invasive species (a non-native species that adversely affects the habitats they invade economically, environmentally or ecologically and are listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE)).

For further reference or clarification, please see Chapter 281 - Trees, Grass, Brush and Weeds of the Scarsdale Village Code. Access to the Code is available on-line.

4. Who repairs curb stones?

Throughout the Village there is a variety of curbing types. These range from a simple asphalt "hip" to granite curbing. The Village standard for curbing in residential neighborhoods is sixteen inch Westchester granite laid with open joints. Based on available budget appropriations the Village will install curbing for drainage control protection of road surface and right-of-way. New curbing is usually installed at the expense of the fronting property owner in accordance with the Village standard for aesthetic purposes only. Once acceptable curbing is installed, it will be maintained by the Village. Existing granite curbing is usually raised when the street is repaved if the amount of curb face available for drainage control is reduced to a point that the curbs drainage control function is seriously reduced. On occasion when drainage requirements justify it, the Village will install an asphalt "hip" along private property to protect it from erosion.

5. How do I know where my property begins?

Most right-of-ways in residential streets are fifty feet wide. The cartway (that portion of the street which is paved) is normally twenty four feet wide. Therefore if the cartway is centered in the right-of-way, there is a thirteen foot wide strip on either side of the cartway between the pavements edge and the property line. This can vary considerably however. Your property survey will show the distance from the front of your house to the Village right-of-way.