As of Saturday, Feb. 1, area residents will no longer be allowed to drop yard waste and brush off at Memorial Park for burning by parks department staff — or their old chairs, couches and construction debris.

Owensville’s Board of Aldermen banned the disposal of all yard waste at what has become the unofficial burn pile for city residents, located off of Henry Drive above the rodeo and pulling arena.

City Administrator Brian Samples issued a public notice this past week, which appears inside this week’s Republican, about the board’s unanimous decision at their Jan. 21 meeting.

“It’s an eye sore,” said Samples of the board’s decision to ban dumping there.

The entire board was in favor of the action, he said, noting the board also agreed it was a safety concern having the public crossing the upper walking trail to get to the pile. Signs will be posted announcing the ban. Those found in violation of the ban will be subject to city court citations for illegal dumping.

The problem has grown over the past three years to include construction debris.

Park staff have encountered construction debris mixed in with brush including entire stairs, decks and railings from mobile home porches and broken shower insert doors.

Burning of yard waste on your own property is allowed in the city of Owensville. It is, however, prohibited on a city street or alley, according to code.

Under the city’s code, Chapter 215, Article IV, Section 215.560:

Burning of leaves, twigs and branches 2 inches and less in diameter (yard waste), along with recreational burning of larger untreated wood, will be allowed. This will be the only open burning allowed in the city of Owensville and only under the following conditions:

• The location is not less than 25 feet from any structure or combustible matter and adequate provisions are made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 25 feet of any structure.

• Piles shall not exceed 25 cubic feet (5 feet by 5 feet by 5 feet) in size.

• No burning will be allowed when winds are in excess of 15 miles per hour.

• Burning yard waste shall take place only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

• A garden hose connected to a water supply, or other approved method of extinguishment, shall be readily available for immediate use.

• A person shall constantly attend all open fires until such fire is extinguished. Fires shall not be left unattended until fire is completely extinguished or is sufficiently covered to prevent fire from spreading.

• No burning will be allowed on any city street, road or alley.

• Recreational burning of untreated wood, logs or man-made logs in a controlled area or device such as a fire pit or outdoor fireplace is allowed as long as the conditions above, except hours, are met.