Pa. town using signs to shame residents into cutting lawns

A councilwoman in a small Pennsylvania borough says they’re wrong for approving a form of public shaming to make sure residents cut their lawns this summer.

Officials in 20,000-resident Chambersburg say they’ll place signs amid the tall grass and weeds informing homeowners that they’re in violation of borough code.

If the homeowner doesn’t comply within five days, the borough will send a worker to cut the lawn at a cost to the homeowner of about $240 per trim.

Friday’s Chambersburg Public Opinion reports the borough sent 925 lawn violation notices last year and had workers cut 117 lawns at a total cost to homeowners of about $28,000.

The borough council voted 7-2 Thursday to purchase 500 campaign-style signs. Councilwoman Elaine Swartz dissented, saying she’s not big on shaming people.