Town Council Passes New Blight Ordinance
The Southington Town Council unanimously passed a new blight ordinance last Monday after hearing from frustrated residents about the issue.
“I’m speaking in support of any and all changes that bring resolution to blight complaints. After repeated filings that go back 10 years, and the reports that I’m having from the property impacting my neighborhood, it still remains in full blight,” said Southington resident Mary Peterman of a property she had expressed concerns about.
Complaints to the Planning & Zoning Department now must receive a response within 10 days of the initial filing. Once a complaint is received, the zoning enforcement officer will be able to begin an investigation into the issue. The officer will also be able to start an investigation if they witness blight themselves, or receive information regarding a blight situation. The fire marshall, police chief and director of health will also be able to declare blight if they feel a property poses health and safety concerns.
“One of the changes that I think is really critical is that we did put in there that, as the attorney mentioned earlier, there will be communication from the town official,” said councilor Christopher Palmeiri. “You may agree or disagree with the decision that is made, but at least one way or another you’ll have that right to hear from the official that went out and investigated the blight. I think that’s a good change.”
Intended to make the complaint process faster, the new ordinance lists four steps in the process to resolving blight: investigation, appeal, notice of violation and fine. Appeals may be heard by the blight hearing officer, but after the compliance period, those with blighted properties may face fines of up to $150 per day.
The definition of what counts as blight remains unchanged from the existing ordinance. It defines a blighted property as one with structures that are in danger of collapsing, have serious disrepair issues and are open to the elements. Blight also includes properties with a large amount of trash, overgrown grass, inoperative vehicles or graffiti. Parking lots in states of despair are also deemed blighted.
Residents who spoke on Monday night said these conditions often impact the entire neighborhood.
“All of our taxes went up quite a bit, mine by over 30%, and my house hasn’t changed but my neighbors' houses have changed to the worse,” said Southington resident Charles Chapman. “That affects my property value, which is going to affect what taxes I have to pay to the town.”
E-Bike Ordinance to Receive Public Hearing
The other ordinance-related action taken by the council on Monday night was to schedule a public hearing on proposed regulations for e-bike use at the council’s next meeting on October 13.
The Ordinance Committee sent Town Council a proposal which includes a definition of what inappropriate behavior on e-bikes, regular bicycles, electric scooters and motorcycles is. If adopted, the ordinance would not outlaw the vehicles themselves, but ban trick-riding, weaving, risking the safety of others and not showing reasonable control.
FEMA Grant Announced
Fire Commissoner Tim Wilk thanked the council for their assistance in the department landing a $3.03 million dollar FEMA grant that will allow them to hire 12 new firefighters.
“This federal grant will help offset the cost of hiring 12 additional firefighters, representing a significant investment in strengthening emergency response capabilities and helping the department better meet the current and future public safety needs of the Southington community,” reads a statement from the Southington Fire Department.
The Fire Department has been facing a number of challenges with recruiting and retaining firefighters, Wilk said, so the grant is a welcome help.
“There’s certainly an electricity running through the fire department,” said Wilk. “We’re all very excited. At the same time, we do understand this is although a monumental first step, it is just the first step. There's much more to deliberate on, much more to discuss and much more to debate.”
