In a game of word association, say “blight” and “East Lyme” is not a likely response.

Yet, the East Lyme Board of Selectmen is considering adding the town to the long list of Connecticut municipalities with anti-blight ordinances used to combat extreme cases of derelict and dilapidated properties that pose health and safety risks or weigh down neighbors’ property values. We agree with First Selectman Mark Nickerson’s sentiment that such an ordinance is an essential tool for the East Lyme municipal toolbox, one that can help prevent junk cars from piling in yards and grass growing hip-deep.

While the preponderance of East Lyme properties legitimately fall into the tidy category, the selectmen say there are a few with major blight issues. Neighbors complain, but there is little recourse.

The selectmen are right to move forward with an ordinance that could provide this recourse. They also are right to move forward cautiously and only after carefully considering the pros and cons of such an ordinance.

For example, Selectman Marc Salerno, who researched the ordinance along with Zoning Official Bill Mulholland, said working farms are likely to be excluded and the town also should be particularly sensitive to cases of blight stemming from poverty, disabilities or age. Local service groups such as Rotary or Lions should be enticed, as the selectmen suggested, to help clean up and repair such properties.

For property owners without such extenuating circumstances, the ordinance under consideration is proposed to carry up to a $100-a-day fine for owners who ignore an order to clean up their properties. That amount gives the ordinance enough teeth to be taken seriously.

Should the East Lyme Board of Selectmen approve the ordinance this winter, the town will join the likes of New London, the City of Groton, Jewett City and many others throughout the region and state that already have such ordinances. Although the stereotypical image of East Lyme may be New England picture postcard perfect, an anti-blight ordinance should be adopted to help ensure the town continues to live up to that reputation.