In efforts to keep the Sturgeon Bay compost site operating more cleanly, the Sturgeon Bay common council voted to change of hours and establish a proof of residency to use it.  Going by a recommendation of the Community Protection & Services Committee, the council approved the measure in a 5-1 vote, with councilmember Gary Nault voting against it citing complaints by constituents of the $24 annual fee that will be assessed to taxpayers.  Mike Barker, municipal services director, says the new supervised hours at the compost site will be a good start towards controlling any illegal dumping. He says adjustments to hours in the summer can be done if warranted.

Council President Dan Williams, who was chairing the meeting due to Mayor David Ward's absence, says concerns over illegal dumping that could have led to a closure of the compost site by the DNR required the measures to be taken.  In other business, the common council also approved the second reading of the Coal Tar Sealant Products Ordinance that will prohibit the use of jet-black coatings that contain toxic compounds on city streets.