Salem selectmen consider blight ordinance
Salem — Members of the Board of Selectmen discussed plans for a proposed blight ordinance at the monthly meeting Tuesday night.
If a proposed blight ordinance were approved by residents at a town meeting — to be scheduled at a later date — Salem would join more than 100 municipalities in the state with regulations on properties in disrepair, according to data from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities that was presented at the meeting.
"It's been brought to me enough times that I think it's worthy enough to bring to the town," First Selectman Kevin Lyden said.
He said residents are worried that neighboring properties filled with disabled cars, old appliances and other debris, are devaluing property values.
Currently, blight complaints go through the Planning, Zoning and Wetlands Department and eventually the state court system.
Many cases return to court after six months because the property owners have little incentive to clean up their front yards.
With a blight ordinance modeled after samples provided by CCM, the blight officer — many towns use their building or zoning officer — issues citations that have to be addressed within 60 days, Lyden said.
After that, the property owner would have to pay a fine of between $50 and $100 every day until it is cleaned up.
According to statute, any unpaid fines become a lien on the property.
The board received an email prior to the meeting from a family on Hartford Road regarding the proposed ordinance, saying they support the measure.
"'An enforceable ordinance with teeth in it will ensure that our beautiful town will be able to look its best consistently,'" Lyden read from the email.
Selectman Robert Ross, who recalled problems with blighted properties during his time as first selectman in the early 2000s, said a proposed ordinance should include a way for property owners to get confirmation in writing when they comply after a citation.
Selectman Ed Chmielewski also suggested adding an appeals process to the ordinance to protect property owners, such as elderly and disabled residents, who may not be able to clean up their land or low-income residents who cannot afford the fines.
The board will continue to discuss the proposed ordinance at its July 5 meeting and eventually present it at a town meeting for residents to vote on it.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
