JACKSON, NJ – Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina said that an ordinance proposed by Council President Martin Flemming and approved during the 2022 council session was an example of government overreach. He officially vetoed the action of the council.
The ordinance would have allowed a volunteer group of appointed individuals on the Jackson Shade Tree commission to force residents to properly maintain, plant and remove trees on their private properties.
The Shade Tree Commission is run by Steven Chisolm, Sr., owner of Aspen Tree Experts. His son, Steven Chisolm, Jr., also a co-owner of Aspen Tree, was one of the champions of the ordinance.
“The modifications made by that ordinance which was drafted by the Township Council have sparked unnecessary controversy and concerns with residents about the expansion of government and possible intrusions into the privacy of property owners within the township,” Reina said. “I cannot in good faith to the residents of Jackson sign an ordinance into law that could provide the township with the authority to infringe on private property rights and interfere with the private rights of citizens in Jackson Township.”
After hearing of the veto, Chisolm agreed to meet with Mayor Reina and township attorney Greg McGuckin to discuss modifying the town’s shade tree ordinance, promising it will be re-introduced at a later time.
Chisolm blamed a clerical error for the confusion and criticism, blaming the township’s website operator for not posting the entire ordinance online.