• Mike Olson, Aberdeen City Code Law Enforcement Officer, made a visit to Groton at the request of the city council to look over property that needs attention. Olson reported at the council meeting Monday night that in Aberdeen, they address things that people want done in the community. They try the friendly approach first and for a lot of people that takes care of the situation. But he added there are those who do not comply and the city has to take legal action. "The city will abate the property to get the work done," Olson said.
• Olson has been working for Aberdeen City since 2003 and in that time frame, they have torn down 250 structures.
• Olson reported that according to ordinances, people cannot store property at another site they may own if they do not live there. One example that was brought up was a person having five vehicles stored at a location. Even though they are licensed, they cannot store the vehicles at that location since they do not live there. The council will be following up with nuisance property around the city.
• There have been citizen complaints on joggers who have their dog with them, but are not on a leash. In addition, the dogs are going poop on people's property and the dog owners are not cleaning up the mess. There is a leash law in Groton and the ordinance does state that if a dog does his duty, it must be cleaned up by the owner. Fines begin at $50 and can go as high as $200.
• The council reversed a motion to allow the city to use buses for baseball/softball trips. The stipulation is that the organization or parents will be responsible for the maintenance and costs associated with the bus and they must allow the city to rent the bus for $1 or $2 so the bus can be added to the city's liability insurance, which will cost $150 for two months for two buses. In addition, a driver must submit their driver's license to the city in order to prove that they are a certified bus driver.
• The city has been getting rave reviews from the public on the upkeep of the cemetery and there has been a great response to clean-up this year. Councilman Mary Fliehs said that there is a battery guy that comes around to pick up and buy used batteries and that he will be in the area on Wednesday. Mayor Scott Hanlon said that was a good idea where the city can get a check instead of spending money to dispose of them.
• Fliehs suggested that the city up its per grave fee from $100 to $200 and that half of that amount go into a perpetual care fund so the interest can be used to help with the cost of the upkeep. That will be decided at an upcoming council meeting.

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