Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes and Councilman Steve Bass will introduce legislation at Wednesday night’s Town Board meeting (May 23, 7:15 p.m., Greenburgh Town Hall), that will regulate how and when Con Edison can cut down trees on private and public rights-of-way in unincorporated Greenburgh.

Barnes and Bass, working with members of the community, have constructed legislation that would limit tree cutting activities on distribution lines.

Nationally recognized tree pruning laws would be incorporated into a Town law, but would not impede the utility company in emergency situations. Con Edison would be required to replant trees under certain circumstances when a home owner or the Town requires it. Replanting would be necessary as trees in certain areas are responsible for protecting our Town against soil erosion, preventing floods, and removing CO2 from the air.

This law will help protect our trees while continuing to allow the utility companies to bring safe and reliable energy to our residents.

We look forward to hearing the public’s input on this important law.