Freeport trustees mandate curb cleanup

Village trustees voted to make a clean sweep of things at Monday’s board meeting, at least with regard to residential streets.

The board held a public hearing to amend a section of the village code on maintenance of sidewalks and curbs.

The change requires residents, whether they are owners, tenants or other occupants, to keep sidewalks, curbs and gutters in front of their residence clear of any trash and litter for a distance of 18 inches from the curb before 10 a.m. each day.

Village Attorney Howard Colton said the provision was previously not included in the ordinance. He also said this would not affect the regular street sweeping program.

Under the board’s brief regular agenda, trustees took the following actions:

• Approved the retroactive emergency purchase by the Public Works Department of replacement motors and compressors at various sewer pump stations from Scales Industrial Technologies of Carle Place at a cost of $70,370.

• Approved a $50,000 Legislative Initiative grant for the Police Department from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services for the purchase of recording equipment and training of police personnel.

• Voted to charge various property owners for excess sewer usage charges for 2012 totaling $23,032.

• Authorized the village attorney to open a non-interest bearing escrow account known as Interest on Lawyers Account. Mayor Robert Kennedy explained that the account is to be used to deposit checks from properties sold by the village.

During public comment, Frank Grossman attempted to raise an issue involving the Freeport School Board and its refusal to allow meetings to be broadcast on the public access channel, but Mayor Robert Kennedy said school board-related issues could not be discussed at the Village Board meeting.

Alan Jay also attempted to complain about school taxes, but he was also told not to discuss school district issues. Mr. Jay then proceeded to criticize the “socialist Obamacare” program.