Mayor's Monarch Pledge

The monarch butterfly is an iconic North American species whose multigenerational migration and metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly has captured the imagination of millions of Americans.  Mayors and heads of local or tribal government, are deeply concerned about the decline of the monarch butterfly population.  We recognize the importance of creating monarch and pollinator habitat at parks, gardens, and other green spaces, that every member of the community can equally enjoy.  Our work to help save the monarch butterfly intentionally engages all parts of our community.  Therefore, we hereby commit to help restore habitat for the monarch and encourage our residents to do the same, so that these magnificent butterflies will once again flourish across the continent.

Mayor Dennis O’Keefe, on behalf of Borough Council, Environmental Advisory Council and residents, has taken the National Wildlife Federation Mayor’s Monarch Pledge for 2024. The Borough has pledged to take the following 8 actions this year:

1. Engage with city parks and recreation, public works, sustainability, and other
    relevant staff to identify opportunities to revise and maintain mowing programs 
    and milkweed/native nectar plant planting programs.
2. Engage with Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Community Associations or
    neighborhood organizations to identify opportunities to plant monarch gardens 
    and revise maintenance and mowing programs.
3. Add or maintain native milkweed and nectar producing plants in community
    gardens.
4. Display educational signage to monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.
5. Increase the percentage of native plants, shrubs and trees that must be used
    in city landscaping ordinances and encourage use of milkweed, where appropriate.

We will keep you updated on our progress as we proceed through the year. You can learn more about monarch butterfly conservation at www.nwf.org.

Sidewalk Maintenance

Sidewalk maintenance is a year-round responsibility. Chapter 180 Streets and sidewalks, Article II Removal of Snow; Maintenance of Sidewalks and Article III Planting within Rights-of-way define the duty of homeowner, tenant, occupant, lessee or otherwise of any property fronting or abutting a paved sidewalk to maintain the sidewalk and any planting that may interfere with the right of way. https://ecode360.com/5134277#5134277

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

1. Removal of snow and ice within 24 hours after cessation of any snow fall, sleet or freezing rain.
2. Repair of sidewalks when deficiencies are present, which include but are not limited to: Missing or displaced sections of sidewalk, sidewalk segments that are not firm, stable and slip resistant, Sidewalk segments that are cracked into 6 or more pieces, segments with any one crack larger than 1 inch in width, sidewalk surfaces with severe pitting greater than 1” deep, sidewalk surfaces that trap water, mating sidewalk segments with greater than ¾” uneven joints.
3. Maintenance (or repair) of a sidewalk is also required any time the full intended width and height of the sidewalk is obstructed such that the full width of the sidewalk cannot be safely used by an average adult human.  This includes branches/leaves hanging low over the sidewalk, weeds, flowers and shrubbery growing out into the sidewalk path, trees, roots, poles and posts, fences, railings, hydrants or other required public infrastructure.  (NOTE: The standard passage door height is 80 inches, this is the minimum height clearance our codes officials look for when inspecting an obstructed sidewalk complaint.)