By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg City Council approved changes to its seasonal cleanup regulations Monday in a 5-2 vote.

The proposed changes to the solid waste law focus on seasonal cleanup and removal of debris.

Deputy Mayor Michael Morley and Councilor Daniel Skamperle both voted against the changes. However the proposal passed with little debate following a brief public hearing at which no one spoke.

The law specifically defines yard waste as leaves, brush, and small branches and twigs cut to manageable sizes. This also includes tree limbs and small trees less than six inches in diameter which must be cut into sections less than six feet in length.

“In the spring, yard waste may be placed on the home owners’ property between the edge of the street and the sidewalk or along the edge of the street if no sidewalk exists as soon as weather permits. It is prohibited to place yard waste in the street. Collection will start no later than May 1 of each year and will run through the weekend before Memorial Day. There will be no penalties for putting out yard waste early during this cleanup cycle,” the proposal says.

“The fall cleanup will commence no later than Nov. 1 and will run through the Sunday before Thanksgiving. As with the spring cleanup, yard waste may be placed between the edge of the street and the sidewalk or along the edge of the street if no sidewalk exists on the home owners’ property.”

The proposal also prohibits yard waste being placed in the street and outlines alternatives for yard waste disposal.

“Storm related debris will be picked up by the city's DPW on an on-call basis. City residents can contact DPW during regular business hours to schedule a pickup. Free, year-around drop off of yard waste is available to all city residents at the city's land clearing debris landfill located on outer Champlain Street on scheduled drop-off days.”