Rhode Island Town: Pull Weeds Or Get Fined $50 A Day

WESTERLY, RI — Residents in one Rhode Island community may want to move pulling weeds to the top of their to-do lists. Westerly officials on Monday approved a new policy fining homeowners $50 a day for weeds measuring 6 inches. The Town Council said it adopted the policy based on input from a citizen committee.

"Every neighborhood said they wanted enforcement," Town Councilor Jean Gagnier said.

The policy will be in effect each year from May 1 to December 30. While the language approved Monday only applies to weeds, councilors said they plan to expand it to include lawns.

"All I would like to see is this ordinance pass in a manner that it accomplishes what the intent is," Town Councilor Mario Celico said.

No residents were in attendance to speak for or against the policy during a public hearing Monday. Another public hearing will be scheduled for the expanded lawn policy.

"I’m going to go home and mow my lawn," Town Council President Edward Morrone said after the council approved the weed policy.

Westerly is an affluent oceanside town of about 23,000; Taylor Swift owns a summer home in the community.

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