New Milford council directs attorney to draft bamboo-control ordinance after resident complaint

After hearing from council members about a local property where bamboo growth damaged a neighbor’s yard, the New Milford council voted to have the borough attorney and staff draft a local bamboo-control ordinance for future review.

Council members described observed damage — lifted pools, displaced fencing and invasive spread along property lines — and circulated sample ordinances from nearby towns that set containment standards (for example, requirements for a minimum 30‑inch barrier depth of dense polyethylene and a protruding strip above ground). One speaker noted that 11 or 17 Bergen County municipalities have bamboo ordinances and suggested New Milford tailor language to local needs.

At the same time, several council members urged caution in crafting prohibitions. A council member emphasized cultural and ecological considerations, noting bamboo’s role as a carbon-sequestering plant and the need for “ecologically and culturally aware” language. The proposed ordinance under discussion would control bamboo that spreads into neighboring properties rather than entirely ban certain plantings; examples from other towns allow containment in pots while restricting planting in the ground unless barriers are installed.

Council President Duffy moved and the council approved a motion directing John (borough attorney) and staff to draft an ordinance for council review. The draft will consider containment standards, enforcement, and language to address both nuisance prevention and cultural sensitivity.

Next steps: borough attorney will prepare a draft ordinance and return it to the council for review and public hearing.