A proposal to regulate how property is maintained so it does not present a problem for neighbors was the subject of a recent Planning Board workshop.
Board Chair Hershey Hirschkop has advocated for adding ordinance rules to better regulate neglected properties that aren’t under the scope of existing ordinances.
“I see these with my own eyes and I think we need this. I’m talking about a very few (properties.) There isn’t a mechanism to clean them up,” Hirschkop said at the hourlong workshop session following public comment at the Nov. 12 board meeting.
Existing town ordinances address health and safety concerns such as garbage attracting rats, improper hazardous waste disposal creating pollution, outbuildings in danger of collapsing, and “nuisances” such as noise and odor.
The potentially objectionable appearance of properties that feature outdoor storage of materials such as old appliances, metal scraps or worn furniture are not addressed in the existing ordinances, nor are the rights of neighbors who might be affected by such practices.
The proposed ordinance would address these conditions and their effect on nearby property values.
Planning Board discussions over multiple months to figure out how the proposed ordinance would fit into town regulations included a presentation about Code Enforcement responsibilities for health and safety issues as well as consideration of how to help residents whose properties fall into disrepair as a result of physical or mental health challenges.
Under the proposal, neglected or disheveled buildings and grounds could be cited for violations.
Resident Audrey Fortier, who attended the meeting, asked Planning Board members what caused them to propose this ordinance and wondered if complaints from the community prompted it.
Hirschkop said she personally had heard complaints from people, but as far as she knew no formal complaints have been made to the town.
“There ought to be, if you’re going to make an ordinance,” Fortier said.
Work on the draft ordinance will continue in December.
