The assembly has put a $100 fine into borough code for violations of the municipal ordinance against public nuisances, correcting an oversight when the nuisance law was last amended in 2019.

No one from the public spoke at the Nov. 12 assembly meeting when members voted unanimously to adopt the fine. There was no assembly discussion of the ordinance, which was introduced last month.

The fine of $100 for each offense took effect immediately upon adoption.

Nuisances are defined in borough code to include “the exposure, display, sale or distribution of obscene pictures, books, pamphlets, magazines, papers, documents or objects; the public exposure of a person having a contagious disease; the keeping of an animal that causes a (noise) disturbance” after the owner has been told of the problem.

Other violations also include “all ditches, drains, wells, pools, cisterns, bodies or containers of water in which mosquitoes breed or are likely to breed; rank weeds or grass; carcasses; accumulations of manure, refuse or other things, which are, or are likely to be, breeding places for flies, mosquitoes, vermin or disease germs; … (and) any fire or explosion hazard which endangers the public peace, health, safety or welfare.”

Obstructing traffic on a street or sidewalk also can be cited as a public nuisance.

The ordinance does not change the definition of a nuisance, it only set the fine.