EDENTON -- Town Council yesterday evening passed a new ordinance that handles the regulation and enforcement of yard debris and grass clippings on town streets. When these materials get blown into the street or placed there for pickup, it can get into stormwater systems and back them up, causing flooding.
This debris can also inject pesticides and herbicides into waterways, affect overall waterway health and quality, create safety hazards for cyclists and vehicles, increase overall maintenance costs (which are taxpayer funded), and create a habitat for bacteria and pests.
"This ordinance has been put in place to help curb the influx of yard waste in our storm drains," said Tyler Newman, Public Information Officer. "We all have dealt with flooding in Edenton before, and the less grass clippings or leaves that get blown into the drains, the less likely they are to overflow and flood."
The Town of Edenton urges all residents to place yard debris within their yard, and to cut grass in a way that keeps clippings on their property, or blow any clippings from the street back into their yard, avoiding drains at all costs.
There will now be penalties for those not following this ordinance. The first violation is a simple warning, followed by a $50 fine.
If any resident witnesses anyone or any company doing this, please contact Public Works immediately at (252) 482-4111.