Leesburg Town Council Crafting Garbage Ordinance
By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews
LEESBURG — Specific language for a proposed refuse ordinance was a large part of the discussion during Monday evening’s monthly meeting of the Leesburg Town Council.
A draft ordinance has been written and is in the process of review and modification by the three members of the council. The purpose of the ordinance is to restrict the accumulation of garbage, including organic materials, on properties within the town limits.
Council members debated the potential enforcement and penalties within the proposed ordinance, including a possible fine structure leading up to physical intervention by the town.
That intervention could include cleaning up of the property and billing the property owner for the labor and equipment used for the work. In the event the property owner does not pay for the work, the town would have the ability to initiate a lien and foreclosure process on the property.
Council member Doug Jones noted the draft ordinance as it currently is written does not include a fine structure leading up to the town directly intervening in the removal of the refuse, which he argued should be a necessary part of the language.
The proposed ordinance would be reviewed and amended by council members and would be discussed again at a future meeting prior to any final language being written and voted upon.
In other discussion:
• Council President Christina Archer offered an update on the $200,000 K21 Foundation grant that would allow for sidewalk repair in the town. Archer noted she has been in discussion with K21 Grant Coordinator Holly Swoverland about how that money can and should be applied. Leesburg Street Commissioner Craig Charlton noted that materials costs have increased significantly since the grant was awarded, implying that less can be done with the money than was originally planned.
• Charlton noted that he has the 25 mph speed limit signs he will install on Baseline Road. It was noted law enforcement will be enforcing the speed limit, which council members noted is often violated by drivers on that road.
• The council’s annual budget workshop will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, July 18, at town hall.
• Leesburg residents are reminded that drivers of golf carts within the town limits must be at least 16 years old. A driver’s license is not required, but drivers must meet the minimum age requirement. Having an adult/parent in the cart does not alter that requirement.
• The council reiterated there is no parking on any town street between 3-5 a.m. every day.
• No burning is permitted within town limits at any time.
• Residents are reminded to be mindful of what is flushed into the sewer system. Flushing of items other than human waste and toilet paper could result in expensive repairs to the home and to the town’s sewage lines.