New London prepares for citywide cleanup
New London - Got an old bathtub in the driveway? Time to toss it.Rusty boat in the side yard? Move it or scuttle it.
Rusty boat in the side yard? Move it or scuttle it.Is the greenery out front approaching haunted mansion proportions? Sharpen those hedge clippers.
Is the greenery out front approaching haunted mansion proportions? Sharpen those hedge clippers.With the backing of the City Council, the Public Works Department is initiating Operation Clean Sweep 2010 next month.
With the backing of the City Council, the Public Works Department is initiating Operation Clean Sweep 2010 next month.Beginning April 5, and starting at the south end of the city, the building official, the zoning enforcement officer and representatives from the highway department will be inspecting about 11,000 properties for trash, debris, overgrown lawns, junk cars and boats and zoning violations. They will also be looking at the city's rights-of-way for old tree stumps, broken and obsolete signs, potholes and trenches.
Beginning April 5, and starting at the south end of the city, the building official, the zoning enforcement officer and representatives from the highway department will be inspecting about 11,000 properties for trash, debris, overgrown lawns, junk cars and boats and zoning violations. They will also be looking at the city's rights-of-way for old tree stumps, broken and obsolete signs, potholes and trenches."It's a quality-of-life issue, it's a safety issue,'' said Keith Chapman, special assistant to the city manager. "Neighbors deserve a quality of life that is not provided when there is junk next door.''
"It's a quality-of-life issue, it's a safety issue,'' said Keith Chapman, special assistant to the city manager. "Neighbors deserve a quality of life that is not provided when there is junk next door.''The city has been divided into 17 parcels of roughly equal mileage. Crews will start at Ocean Beach and work their way north to the Coast Guard Academy/Connecticut College area.
The city has been divided into 17 parcels of roughly equal mileage. Crews will start at Ocean Beach and work their way north to the Coast Guard Academy/Connecticut College area.Information on when the crews will be in which neighborhoods is available on the city's Web site at http://ci.new-london.ct.us
Information on when the crews will be in which neighborhoods is available on the city's Web site at http://ci.new-london.ct.usThe entire sweep will take 22 weeks, according to Chapman, and will become an annual event.
The entire sweep will take 22 weeks, according to Chapman, and will become an annual event.Those found in violation of any ordinances, health codes or safety codes can be fined up to $250 a day.
Those found in violation of any ordinances, health codes or safety codes can be fined up to $250 a day.Workers will do the inspections from the sidewalk and will not go on any property, Chapman said. All violations on private property will be photographed and included in a weekly spreadsheet. Property owners will be given time to correct all violations.
Workers will do the inspections from the sidewalk and will not go on any property, Chapman said. All violations on private property will be photographed and included in a weekly spreadsheet. Property owners will be given time to correct all violations.The goal is to clean up properties, so the city will work with any property owners where there are violations.
The goal is to clean up properties, so the city will work with any property owners where there are violations."We want to be proactive, not reactive,'' he said. "We don't want to issue any tickets."
"We want to be proactive, not reactive,'' he said. "We don't want to issue any tickets."In addition to improving living conditions in especially blighted areas of the city, the sweep will also help increase property values, Chapman said.
In addition to improving living conditions in especially blighted areas of the city, the sweep will also help increase property values, Chapman said.k.edgecomb@theday.com
k.edgecomb@theday.com
TRANSFER STATION FACTS
Where: City of New London transfer station, corner of Crystal Avenue and Lewis Street
When: 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday, starting April 1
More info: Call (860) 447-5248 or visit
http://ci.new-london.ct.us
Fee: $25 one-year permit includes four truckloads; $15 for each load after that.
Not allowed: Household hazardous waste and chemicals
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