Signs of the season: grass clippings and garage sale signs

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- With the warmer weather come yard work and garage sales, however there are city ordinances which residents need to be aware of.

Fort Scott codes officer Andrea Ramm would like to remind residents of the ordinance prohibiting signs for garage sale on trees and utility polls.

"The poles get destroyed, there are so many nails and staples in them that the energy companies have trouble with them," Ramm said.

Signs which obstruct the "site triangle" of traffic are also in violation of the ordinance. Ramm suggests signs should be no larger than two feet in size.

"(Signs) can be too large and obstruct traffic's view," Ramm said.

Ramm added signs must be removed by the Monday following the garage sale. If the ordinance is violated, a fine of $25 will be assessed.

The public works department would also like to inform residents of an ordinance which prevents the raking or blowing of leaves and grass clippings into the street, gutters, or storm drains.

According to Ramm, the debris causes problems with the storm drains during heavy rains and it causes the street cleaning trucks to be run more often.

An alternative for residence to dispose of yard debris is the free tree dump located near the Animal Shelter. Ramm said the dump will take grass clippings, leaves, and tree limbs at no cost. The dump is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.