Patchogue trustees consider and advance lawn‑cutting and cleanup fee schedule; enforcement process clarified

Village staff requested approval May 27 of a fee schedule for nuisance lawn cutting and property cleanup work performed by the Department of Public Works.

Staff proposed a $150 fee to cut overgrown lawns, a $550 fee to cover up to three hours of cleanup work for properties with substantial debris, and a dump fee of approximately $100 to cover landfill charges. Staff described the program as complaint‑driven: building and housing staff will notify property owners and advise them before work is scheduled. If owners fail to comply, DPW will perform the work and place charges on the property tax roll at year end.

Trustees and the village attorney clarified that crews do not enter homes or provide social services and that staff will consider special circumstances—such as elderly or infirm residents—by helping connect homeowners with outside assistance rather than performing door‑to‑door social work. The attorney reiterated that the program’s purpose is neighborhood maintenance rather than ongoing social services.

A motion to approve the fee schedule was made during the meeting; the transcript records discussion and a motion but does not include a full roll call in the provided excerpt. Trustees noted the fees are intended to be modest relative to private contractor costs and that the village will avoid unilateral entry without prior warning and outreach.