Village residents warned not to put clippings in streets

Saukville Village President Barb Dickmann wants local residents to know that it is illegal to blow grass clippings into the street and leave them there.

“That’s a violation of our village ordinances,” she said at last week’s Finance Committee meeting.

Village ordinances state: “No person shall dump or deposit any refuse or yard waste in any gutter or storm sewer along any public street, alley or highway.”

The fine is $218.50.

Public Works Director Ray deBruijn said it’s also an environmental nuisance.

“It puts all those nutrients into the river, and the (state Department of Natural Resources) goes crazy,” deBruijn said.

The clippings also can collect on sewer grates, causing stormwater to back up.

“I’m always having to clear the grass clippings from the sewer grate in front of my house,” Finance Committee member Jim Nowlen said.

In addition, grass clippings in roadways are dangerous to motorcycles, creating slick conditions that make it difficult to stop or gain traction. Grass clippings were blamed for a recent motorcycle crash in Illinois in which a woman was killed.

Officials recommend homeowners start mowing from the outside of their property and blow the grass inward.    If clippings do go into the street, they should be swept up or blown back onto the lawn.