City Council Urges: Keep City Streets and Stormwater Drains Clear of Grass, Yard Clippings and Trim Trees Regularly
By Christopher Miller
LOCK HAVEN – City Property Maintenance Officer Brian Taylor spoke to City Council Monday evening urging them to remind the public to clear grass clippings from city streets and sidewalks.
“Disposing of grass clippings on the streets creates a slippery condition for cyclists and pedestrians,” Taylor said.
Below is what was presented to city council and asked of local media to publish:
This memo serves as a reminder that grass clippings are not permitted to be deposited or left on any public street, sidewalk, or right-of-way within city limits.
Grass clippings pose several hazards and nuisances, including:
Creating slippery conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly motorcyclists and bicyclists.
Contributing to stormwater drain blockages, which can lead to localized flooding.
Causing aesthetic and environmental concerns, as decomposing organic matter can pollute waterways and be detrimental to the local aquatic habitat.
Per Chapter 273, grass clippings deposited on city streets and public sidewalks are considered
littering. Residents and landscaping contractors are responsible for ensuring all grass clippings
are properly collected and disposed of on private property or through designated yard waste
disposal methods. The ordinance specifically calls for a penalty of up to $1000 as set by the
district magistrate if a person is convicted of violating this ordinance.
City residents are also reminded that trees shrubs or vegetation of any kind must not encroach
upon public roadways or sidewalks all vegetation must be maintained to ensure a minimum
vertical clearance of 14 feet and a horizontal clearance of at least 4 1/2 feet from the edge of the
roadway. Property owners who fail to maintain these clearances may be held financially
responsible for any vegetation removal performed by city personnel, which if unpaid, would
result in a lien being placed on the property for amounts owed, including the lien itself.
A yard waste dumpster is available for city residents to use at the Public Works building, located at 99 2nd Ave. in the city of Lock Haven. The dumpster is accessible Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. This is a free service provided for city residents.
Mayor Joel Long added that property owners are responsible for all yard clippings and disposal, even if a yard is maintained by a landscaping company.
“Property owners are the responsible ones, not the people yon may hire to cut your grass or care for your property,” he said.
City Manager Greg Wilson also added that any grass clippings on the roadways eventually make it into the storm drains and then into the Susquehanna River or Bald Eagle Creek.
“It is better for the fish, the aquatic life, and the color of the river if we just keep the grass and clippings out of the storm drains,” he said.
As well, trees and branches extending over city sidewalks should be no shorter than seven feet tall and no shorter than 14’ tall when branches cross over into road air space from curb to curb.
City Council also amended Chapter 346 Streets and Sidewalks to include Article III on the Regulation, Care, and Maintenance of Shade Trees Within the City’s Right-of-Way.
“This says that if a tree is planted between the sidewalk and the curb, this belongs to the property owner and is their responsibility for upkeep, unless it is a city-planted tree which we have records of in City Hall,” Wilson explained.
In other news, acting on the recommendation of the Lock Haven Police Department, City Council voted to enter into an agreement with Jersey Shore Area Emergency Medical Services to provide Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) for high-risk incidents such as active shooter events, high-risk warrant services, or hostage situations. As well, TEMS members are trained and equipped to operate in “hot zones” during a tactical operation.
City Council also voted in favor of disposing of various vehicles, traffic lights, and tools through Municibid, the online auction service who specializes in government, schools, and authorities surplus sales.
Lastly, Mayor Joel Long expressed his discontent with sending anonymous complaints to city councilmen and the mayor himself.
“I get mail, emails, texts, phone calls, and people stopping me in the streets to complain about things and this is all good. We are here for you and I will speak with the right departments about these matters. But when I receive an anonymous letter with no return address, it is bologna in my eyes. If you cannot take responsibility for sending your complaint to me, then do not send it. I will listen to anyone and address it with staff, but this anonymous complaint is bologna.”
