About Weston Tree Warden

Tree wardens are appointed public officials. Each municipality is required to have a tree warden.

Under Conn. State General Statute Sec. 23-59 Powers and Duties, the tree warden is responsible for “the care and control of all trees and shrubs” along town public roads or on town grounds except those along state highways under the Control of Commissioner of Transportation. The tree warden is also responsible for assessing the need for the removal or pruning of town trees as matter of public safety.

In Weston, Dr. Tom Failla, was appointed tree warden effective July 1, 2020 by the Board of Selectman. Since early 2019, he was deputy tree warden under Bill Lomas, who was appointed tree warden in early 2016. Tom certified as a tree warden in 2019, meeting the state statutory qualification standards. He also completed in 2020 the Connecticut Tree Protective Arboriculture 101 course. Previously, he served for more than 27 years on town land use commissions, including Conservation, Planning and Zoning and the Zoning Board of Appeals. He also serves as a volunteer on open space and civic organizations and, in 2005, was the first recipient of the Millie Best Environmental Award by the Kiwanis Club of Weston.       

The tree warden reports to the Town Administrator and works closely with the Department of Public Works, the Police and Emergency Services, various volunteer committees concerned with trees in Weston, as well as public utility companies serving Weston and the state departments of Transportation and Energy and Environmental Protection. The tree warden annual operating budget is approximately $79,000 for contracting tree maintenance and removal services and a $6,500 administrative stipend.

For questions or concerns about the health or safety of a town tree or to request planting a tree in the right-of-way bordering your property contact:

Dr. Tom Failla
Tree Warden - 203-331-6035 cell/txt
P.O. Box 1007
Weston, CT 06883
treewarden@westonct.gov

State Laws Regarding Tree Wardens and Roadside Trees

CGS Section 13a-140    Removal of trees along state highways. Penalties established by municipalities. 

CGS Section 16-234   Rights of adjoining proprietors. Utility responsibilities regarding publicly owned trees. 

CGS Section 23-58   Tree wardens; appointment; compensation; supervision. 

CGS Section 23-59   Powers and duties of tree wardens. 

CGS Section 23-59a   Required coursework for tree wardens. 

CGS Section 23-60   Appropriations. Public trees; removals. 

CGS Section 23-65   Regulations and permits regarding roadside trees and shrubs.

For a more complete listing of Laws and Regulations relating to trees, please see the Compilation of Connecticut's Tree Laws.