Watertown council considers limits on shopping carts on sidewalks

Watertown City Council is considering an ordinance that would prohibit shopping carts on city sidewalks. Council member Ben Shoen proposed the measure, and three of the five council members indicated support for it. A vote could come within two months, according to the submitted report.

The proposal follows concerns about missing carts and their use by people without permanent housing. Save-A-Lot estimates that more than 250 carts have gone missing over the past 10 years. Council member Robert Kimball questioned whether a ban would further burden people who use carts to carry their belongings. The ordinance is being drafted.