At the regular monthly village meeting held on June 13, the Plandome Village Board of Trustees unanimously voted to adopt Local Law 2-2000 which allows the trustees to hire, at their discretion, "code enforcement officer(s)" if they feel there is a need for such a person. The underlying reason behind this law is the number of complaints the board has received relative to three areas of the village code that are continually violated. The first deals with the total disregard with which some animal owners treat the "pooper scooper" ordinance. Number two is the number of complaints as to the number of workers who either start too early in the morning or work too late in the afternoons and on weekends. The third area deals with irrigation. The village is currently in violation of the 99 million gallons of water per year cap that the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District has set for the village.

While the exact details of a code enforcement officer have not been spelled out, he/she would have the authority to issue appearance summonses to individuals violating the village code, which would be returnable in the village court. Another new law (3-2000) that was adopted at the same time sets mandatory fines for those appearances.

The new law is aimed at those individuals who disregard the ordinance that deals with cleaning up after animals. The village spends a good deal of money on maintaining the village green and the "islands" that separate some of our roads. The village green and these other public spaces are not public toilets for animals. These areas are for the use of the residents of the village and not for the convenience of those walking their animals, unless they are willing to clean up after them. Not only do these animals leave a health hazard for the public, mainly children, their waste is unsightly for those residents whose properties border these areas. The village message is clear: if you are not going to clean up after your animals, walk them on your own property - not on public property or your neighbor's property; or, be prepared to start paying mandatory fines for offenses.

The complaints dealing with workers starting too early is mainly with those who are using power tools starting before 8 a.m. Leaf blowers, hammers, saws and other power tools are noisy. Usually a few words with your gardener, or your contractor will cure this situation. The board asks for the residents' help in this area.

The water situation is a little more complicated. The annual letter that was recently sent to residents outlines the hours, and days on which watering is allowed by the village. The board again asks for the cooperation of the residents before more stringent controls have to be invoked.

The trustees indicated that they hope that they will not have to resort to hiring code enforcement officer(s), and plan a program which would involve the various civic groups in the village to urge self-compliance with the ordinances.

The next village meeting will be July 11, at 8 p.m. at the Plandome Village Hall, 65 South Drive.