Selectmen Recommend Eyesore Ordinance

By Steve Bigham

The Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the creation of an eyesore ordinance to the Legislative Council Monday night.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal recently proposed the creation of an “eyesore” or blight ordinance, which, if approved, would give the town the authority to remove eyesores such as junk cars and trash from residential property. Town Attorney David Grogins informed the selectmen that such an ordinance could legally be enacted.

The Town of Stafford has a blight ordinance of its own and has effectively used it to rid the town of visual blights… without a court order. It appears to be the first municipal ordinance of its kind in the state that works.

“The [Stafford] town attorney has informed me that as of yet the town has not had difficulty enforcing this provision,” Mr Grogins said. “The town attorney did note that the blight ordinance has not yet been used to take down a building or other actions of that nature.”

Mr Rosenthal had hoped a blight ordinance in Newtown would empower the town to take action against properties such as the old Texaco gas station on Church Hill Road. It appears, however, there may already be some interest by the owner in having the building taken down.

Mr Rosenthal has long been an advocate of removing some of the town’s most notorious eyesores. Since taking office, however, he has become aware of just how difficult it is to force property owners to clean up their land.

“We’ve tried everything else and have not been successful,” Mr Rosenthal said.

Under the Stafford ordinance, a property owner who is found to be in violation will first receive a written notice stating the nature of the violation. It requires the owner to take appropriate action to alleviate the problem within 10 days, or submit a plan of action. If the letter is ignored, the town is then authorized to remove the blight and then send the bill to the owner. The town is empowered to place a lien on the property if the bill is not paid within 30 days. The ordinance also provides a fine schedule for violators.

Up until now, Newtown has had to rely on zoning regulations in order to push people to clean up their land. According to the first selectman, however, there was very little weight behind the regulations.

“It’s one thing to have an ordinance. It’s another thing to enforce it,” Mr Rosenthal said. “Right now, under our zoning, these types of things always seem to get caught up in court. The Stafford ordinance gives more broad powers to take care of this quicker.”

The first selectman said there are a handful of properties around town that are littered with old car parts and other junk that need to be addressed.

Resident Barbara C’Connor urged town officials to keep in mind that “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”

The council’s ordinance committee is expected to take up the matter later this year.