Spring means it is time to mow

Peabody Health and Safety officer Tammy Whiteside has begun looking up property owners and sending letters to remind residents that there is an ordinance on the books requiring them to keep their lawns mowed.

Grass is not allowed to grow taller than 12 inches. For a violation of the ordinance, Whiteside will file a complaint and the property owner or renter will be required to appear in city court.

If city employees do the mowing to abate the nuisance, the cost will be assessed to the owner.

“Another part of this regulation is not blowing the grass into the street or gutter as you mow,” Whiteside said. “The grass piles up and creates drainage problems.”

The wording for the ordinance reads, “It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to place, throw or deposit or cause to be placed, deposited or left, any dirt, filth, sweepings, excrement, compost, papers, boxes, ashes, lumber, coal, wood, kindling, grass, weeds, leaves, slops, or litter of any kind in or on any streets, alleys, parks or public ways of the city.” An accompanying provision allows for a $100 fine.

For more information, contact the city office at (620) 983-2174.