Ogdensburg council adopts MS4 rule adding illicit-connection prohibition

The Ogdensburg Borough Council on July 24 adopted Ordinance 09-2023 to amend Chapter 18 of the borough code by adding a new section on illicit connections to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).

Councilman DeMeo moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilman Poyer seconded. Before the final roll call the council opened the floor to public comment. Resident Ken Fahrenfeld asked what the ordinance covered and specifically what constituted an "illicit outlet." Councilman DeMeo read the ordinance's definition aloud, and Mayor George P. Hutnick said the change responds to new New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) mandates for municipal MS4 programs.

Resident Steven Goff asked whether a homeowner running a basement sump pump that discharges onto the homeowner's own yard would be prohibited. Mayor Hutnick replied that in the described situation "you are not purposely discharging your basement into a drain. You are pumping from your basement into your yard to get it out of your house." The mayor framed that scenario as distinct from deliberate illicit discharges to the storm system.

On roll call the ordinance passed with Yeas recorded from Councilman DeMeo, Councilman Poyer and Councilman Ruitenberg; Alvarez, Ciasullo and Cowdrick were absent. No Nays or abstentions on the final adoption were recorded.

The ordinance updates the borough's MS4 ordinance language to align with DEP expectations; the council did not detail enforcement mechanics at the meeting. Mayor Hutnick and council members indicated the change is meant to help the borough meet state-imposed stormwater program requirements.

The council moved on to other business; the ordinance will appear in the borough code and the clerk's office for public record.