By Davy James, Staff Writer
JAMESBURG — Borough property owners whose neglected lawns mean the Public Works Department has to step in better be prepared to fork over a $500 fine if the town has to send public works employees to cut the grass for them.
The Borough Council will consider an ordinance Wednesday that, if passed, would allow it to charge a $500 fee each time the Public Works Department has to cut overgrown grass on their property.
”We had a couple of property owners move and their lawns would really go downhill,” said zoning official Bernie Long. “The property is neglected until it’s sold and it becomes a real eyesore.”
According to Mr. Long, if the length of grass or weeds on a property exceed 10 inches, then the owner will be sent a notice of the violation. If they don’t comply within a few days, the borough will get a court summons citing the owner for failing to maintain his or her property. If the owner still doesn’t comply, then public works will cut the grass on the property and the fee will be charged.
The ordinance would eliminate the problem of people relying on the public works to maintain their properties for free, according to Mr. Long.
”We can’t set a precedent of our public works going and cutting people’s grass for them,” Mr. Long said.
The ordinance would also have a positive impact on the appearance of Jamesburg and would give the borough a solution when people are neglecting their property, according to Mr. Long.
”It’s good because we had a couple of unsightly properties where this was an issue and it really brings down the neighborhood,” Mr. Long said. “It would give us a way of enforcing penalties and helping make the community look better.”
