EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Tree Commission convened for its first meeting on May 12 in its newest incarnation, an organizational gathering setting up its leadership structure and receiving guidance from the solicitor’s and clerk’s offices.

Appointed to the commission by Mayor Bob DaSilva were city residents Jennifer Tierney, Carol Auer and Claire Tierney. Two other members of the five-person body have yet to be seated. Per ordinance one must be a licensed arborist and one must be a professional landscape architect or landscape gardener

The commission also includes Ex Officio (non-voting) members Anna Sousa, representing the City Council, and Ronald Nawrocki, in his position as the City Tree Warden.

Claire Tierney nominated Ms. Auer as the first chairperson. She in turn was nominated by Jenn Tierney to be secretary. Jenn Tierney was nominated to be vice chairman. All three nominations were approved.

Ms. Auer is a Professor Emerita in the  Department of Plant Science at the University of Connecticut and a recent city resident. The Tierneys are members of the East Providence Urban Forest community group formed last year.

Assistant Solicitor Dylan Conley led the members through an overview of its “mission and scope.” Mr. Conley noted the commission is an “advisory,” “informational” body, though it does maintain some “quasi judiciary” authority.

Mr. Conley also walked the members through the state’s open meeting laws and the city legislation that reincarnated the commission. According to the revised ordinances of East Providence, the tree commission shall have the following powers and duties:

The duties of the tree commission shall be interpreted to include, but not be limited to the protection, maintenance, removal, and planting of trees on public property, and to make such recommendations from time to time to the city council as to desirable legislation concerning the tree program and activities for the city.

(Quasi judiciary aspect) The tree commission shall hear and decide appeals from the standards of this article or an appeal of a decision of the city forester. It may approve, modify, or deny the requested adjustment, based upon protection of public interest, preservation of the intent of this article, and possible unreasonable and unnecessary hardships involved in the case. The commission shall act upon all appeals as expeditiously as possible and shall notify the applicant in writing within five days of the action taken by the commission on the appeal.

Regular meetings of the tree commission shall be held quarterly or as needed. Special meetings shall be held as often as the board shall determine them to be necessary. A quorum for the transaction of business at all regular and special meetings shall be three members with full voting powers.

Of its roll in hearing appeals, Mr. Conley implored the members, “Refrain from investigating…You’re the judge, not the prosecutor.”

He also urged the members to contact the solicitor’s office prior to taking on any appellate cases.

Asked by Ms. Auer for a history of the board, City Clerk Samantha Burnett said it was an existing, older commission, “but for some reason or another it just lost participation. It's happened to other boards and commissions...It wasn’t anything political.”

The members stated their intention to hold meetings on a more regular basis than the just quarterly required by ordinance. Jenn Tierney suggested the commission meet on monthly basis, including in June, for at least until the group finds it footing, which is anticipated to occur.