Book of Ordinances codified by Greenfield council

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield City council is closer to the routine codification of the city’s Book of Ordinances after a meeting held last Tuesday night in the City Hall meeting room.

The ordinances are regularly reviewed by the mayor, city council, city clerk and legal counsel in a process called codification, and the council has wrapped up its portion of the discussion.

Items sent off for approval from legal counsel include:

- Departmental rules will have to be approved by the mayor and city council.

- The city will follow the State Code on fireworks, allowing them to be discharged from June 1 to July 8 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with exception of 11 p.m. on July 4 and the weekends immediately before and after the holiday. Fireworks may be discharged between 9 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31 and on weekends immediately before and after the holiday between 9 a.m. and 11 pm.

- Language in the tobacco and cigarette ordinance was updated to reflect state law that now carries a minimum age of 21.

- Changed park ordinance to include Southside Park and the Purdy Sports Complex.

- The grass ordinance now reads that if vegetation reaches a height of 8 inches or more by the first and 15th of each month from May to October, the city or its agents may mow it at a rate of $75 per hour plus a $100 administration fee. If it is not paid it can be assessed to property tax. Notice will be given once a year prior to the mowing season via local newspapers and social media.

- A load limit of 6,000 pounds will be instituted for city parking lots.

- An addition to the ATV, UTV and Golf Cart ordinance was made clarifying that flags, brakes, lights and turn signals are required and none of the above are allowed to be driven after dark, except for snow removal. They must be driven by licensed drivers with a city permit. There will be financial penalties for non-compliance.

- Snow must be removed from sidewalks within 48 hours, a change from previously. Sidewalks are required for all new construction if there is a sidewalk on one side already.

- Trees to be planted in parking must be approved by the Public Works Director, GMU General Manager and the homeowner before Trees Forever may plant a tree in parkings.

- Garage buildings now need to be four feet from an alleyway, an increase from two feet previously.