There have been no citations for indoor furniture placed outside since the controversial couch ordinance went into effect in the fall of 2003.

The residential property and maintenance ordinance, also know as the couch ordinance, was signed into law April 8, 2003.

This does not mean there won’t be violations in the future, Mayor Ted Tedesco said. He said he signed the ordinance into law because he felt it was the right thing to do.

“Complaints usually come in the spring. People leave the couches or other upholstered furniture outside, and they get wet because of rain,” Tedesco said.

“Sometimes these can become health concerns because of the amount of mold that can develop in them. The couches simply become eyesores.”

Tedesco said the ordinance is meant to cover any upholstered furniture meant for indoor use being outside.

To pass an ordinance into law, it must be read and voted upon three times.

The first vote at was put into motion by councilwoman Sharon Wirth and was approved in a 4-1 vote. Councilman Steve Goodhue said nay and councilwoman Judy Hoffman was absent. On the second vote, Goodhue again voted nay, in a 5-1 vote.

Goodhue again said nay on the final vote and the ordinance became city law with a 5-1 vote to approve.

Goodhue said he believes the ordinance goes against the environment of a college town.

“[Outdoor furniture] is simply a part of living in a college or campus town,” Goodhue said. “I felt it was too narrow of an ordinance … and was a byproduct of the occupancy law.”

Goodhue said he would have liked to talk to the students before passing the ordinance.

“We never discussed it with the students. I would have liked to look at a broader ordinance,” Goodhue said.

“There are other property maintenance issues, whether it be trash or properties in disrepair.”

The fine for the first violation is $50. The second violation of the ordinance is a $100 fine. Each subsequent violation costs $250.

“We needed to have more discussion and a complaint and response, then enforcement from the police,” Goodhue said. “We just skipped that step and went straight to the ordinance, which didn’t allow for neighbors to work things out.”