SANFORD — Don’t be sweeping fall leaves from your yard into the ditch, onto the sidewalk and street or into the storm water management system, city officials warn. If you do, you may face a $100 fine.

That is the intent of an amendment to the city’s solid waste ordinance that is in the process of being implemented.

The city council held a public hearing and first reading on the amendment Tuesday that drew no comment, either for or against the measure.

Councilors are expected to hold a second reading and vote on the amendment at their next meeting, set for Oct. 21.

This is the second measure addressing autumn leaves the council has dealt with in as many months.

For years, the city’s public works department vacuumed up leaves that homeowners swept to the curb. It was an annual fall ritual designed to keep storm drains running free, and as a convenience to homeowners.

But it was an expensive proposition, and with the layoff of six public works employees back in 2011, the city cut back, eliminating 80 streets and 23 miles of pickup from the program.

Taxpayers balked, reasoning that if there was leaf pickup on some streets, the service should be available on all streets. At a September council meeting, councilors agreed to halt the program altogether.

Homeowners do have some alternatives. The Public Works Department announced it will accept leaves, free of charge, at the transfer station, at 81 Rushton St., as long as residents produce a transfer station permit to verify residency, and will have extended hours on Saturdays from Oct. 18 through Nov. 15, according to a statement from Public Works Director Matt Hill.

Hill also encouraged residents to compost their leaves at home, and offered some tips he gleaned from online sources that include shredding leaves and adding freshly cut grass to the compost pile to help break down the leaves, keeping the compost in a bin ”“ and if you don’t have one, making an enclosure with a circle of chicken wire, adding coffee grounds, egg shells and vegetable matter ”“ but no meat ”“ turning it regularly, and adding water to help in the breakdown process.

The transfer station is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. until noon Saturday. For a month, starting on Oct. 18, the transfer station will be open until 4 p.m. Saturdays.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].