HILLSBOROUGH -- The Town of Hillsborough will begin notification and enforcement of a new ordinance regarding maintenance of rights of way Aug. 1.

The ordinance was adopted in November in response to concerns from neighborhood groups about the condition of landscaping along town streets. The town has delayed enforcement until August to give property owners time to make arrangements for compliance with the requirements.

Under the addition to the town code, property owners are responsible for landscaping and maintaining the area between the curb and their property lines as well as maintaining and mowing drainage swales along public roads that abut their property. Stormwater should be able to move easily through the swales. To ensure visibility for drivers, growth between the swales and streets should be limited to plants lower than 1 foot. Small trees and shrubs should be removed from swales and slopes.

Plantings and removal of trees and shrubs in rights of way are regulated by the Hillsborough Tree Board. Those wishing to install or remove trees and shrubs in a right of way should contact the town's Tree Board representative, Ken Hines, at 732-1270 Ext. 78. Hines can relay site-appropriate planting recommendations.

Concerns about maintenance in any area should be addressed to Code Enforcement Officer Thomas Cummings at 732-1270 Ext. 85 for investigation and citation. Nonresponsive property owners can be subject to a civil penalty of $25 per day that the violation continues.