Blight Enforcement Update – 6/29/2011

Posted by Bob on June 29, 2011 under Daily Blogs | 2 Comments to Read

As many know, the Joint Boards of Finance and Mayor and Burgesses (“Joint Boards”) chose not to include the funding for the proposed Blight Officer position in the 2011-2012 budget.  While I disagree with this decision, we now need to move forward with some plan to enforce the recently-enacted Blight Ordinance.

Members of the Blight Council discussed implementation of the following limited plan to enforce the ordinance given the resource limitations:

• Mayoral Aide Ed Carter will be appointed temporary Blight Officer;
• A three (3) member Blight Citation Hearing Board, as referenced in the ordinance, will be appointed;
• The initial focus of implementation will be vacant, abandoned, and/or foreclosed residential properties and the most egregious, occupied properties whose owners have refused to work with the Borough’s Zoning Enforcement Office;
• The Borough will develop a plan to address landscaping needs at abandoned and/or foreclosed properties;
• Liens will be recorded on the Naugatuck Land Records encumbering properties in violation and/or properties for which the Borough will incur costs to address (liens will remain encumbering real property, regardless of change in ownership, until the same are paid);
• The temporary Blight Officer will consult with the Borough Attorney when necessary to enforce the ordinance and/or file necessary documents.

Residents wishing to report an instance of extreme blight can contact the Borough in the following ways:

• Email:  blightconcerns@naugatuck-ct.gov
• Phone: 203-720-7208 to reach Ed Carter
• Regular Mail:  Naugatuck Town Hall, Attn: Blight Officer, 229 Church Street, Fourth Floor, Naugatuck,  CT   06770

We would remind those wishing to contact the Borough about blight concerns, that resources only permit that we address properties with the most serious issues.  While we hope to one day have the capacity to more fully expand enforcement efforts, resources do not permit at this time.  Mr. Carter will not be compensated any additional dollars for assuming these duties.  He will do so in addition to his existing responsibilities as the mayoral aide.

Residents who wish to express a concern should include their name, address and a preferred method of communication. While we have no intention of publishing the names of those reporting concerns provided we are not required to do so by the Freedom of Information Act, anonymous communication will be given little to no consideration.

While the limited plan referenced above is less than ideal, it will provide the Borough with some structure to enforce the ordinance with respect to the most offensive properties.  As is common with laws or regulations, the ordinance will be selectively enforced from time to time on a case by case basis.  The common theme throughout the Blight and Beautification process has been constructive rather than punitive, and will remain so with regard to the enforcement of the ordinance.  There are instances, however, when properties owners who have the means to address blight absolutely refuse to respond to concerns raised by the Borough and/or work toward solutions.  It is for these instances that the expedited process authorized by the Blight Ordinance will be used.  Information on the Borough’s website, www.naugatuck-ct.gov, should be added shortly.