Mike Searfoss, clerk-treasurer of the Leesburg Town Council.

LEESBURG — At the Leesburg town council meeting held Monday, Sept. 9, council members discussed two ongoing issues — golf carts and septics.

Derek Tenney of Tenney & Sons, Warsaw, told council members that two residences on Yvonna Street had recent septic issues. Tenney said in both cases the problem occurred due to wipes being flushed. 

Tenney said many of the septic issues in Leesburg are related to items being flushed that are damaging to the system. These items include wipes, feminine products, paper towels, diapers, pills, condoms, dental floss, Q-tips and cotton balls. 

In November 2018, Tenney suggested to council members that there was a need to educate residents about what items cannot be flushed. 

In an attempt to eradicate the problem, council members have attempted for some time to provide education about this issue, including speaking with homeowners and distributing informational flyers. 

Despite these efforts, the septic problems continue. Council members agreed it’s becoming apparent that fines will likely need to be implemented in order for the septic issues to be resolved.

The topic of golf carts being driven in town was also brought up. Council members are working on drafting an ordinance to address this. 

They stressed that no children are allowed to drive golf carts in town. A driver’s license is required to operate a golf cart on town streets.

“Nobody here is trying to be the fun police,” said Council Member Doug Jones. He spoke briefly about some “close calls” involving golf carts and ended by saying, “Safety is paramount.”

Leesburg Street Commissioner Craig Charlton will be sending out notices regarding low hanging branches over sidewalks and streets. Is is the responsibility of the property owner/tenant/occupant to keep limbs of trees that hang over streets, sidewalks and alleys trimmed and to keep shrubbery trimmed so that it does not hang over the sidewalk or the travel portion of alleys.

Two downtown street lights have been upgraded with LED bulbs. Charlton said he will convert the remaining six lights as well. Painting and sealing of windows on the town museum have been completed. Parking space lines in the downtown area have been repainted.

Charlton said curbside leaf pickup will begin in two weeks and end Nov. 30.

Other News:

• Trick or treat hours will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.
• The candelaria will be held Dec. 7.
• Town council members approved a quote by Butt & Timmons, Syracuse, in the amount of $20,426 for repair work at the intersection of Old SR 15 and Van Buren Street.
• Council members approved a quote from S & C Gutters, Warsaw, for $612 for rain gutters for the Pearl Street building. The quote included an additional option of $265 for leaf guards. Council members approved the initial quote plus the option, for a total of $877. 
• The meeting room at the town hall building has been rearranged to provide more seating due to increased attendance at recent town council meetings.
• No parking on any street between 3-5 a.m. and no burning anything anytime in Leesburg.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, at Leesburg Town Hall.