Dear Eleanore Turkington:
There is a home on North Great Circle that hasn’t cut the lawn in two years.
Is there a solution here?
Disgusted Neighbor YM
Dear YM:
Gripe Vine often receives similar complaints, including stacked tree branches, high grass and neglected properties, so today I decided to research West Haven’s blight regulations to apply to your concern and others. The City Council adopted an ordinance in 2012 that gave the city more control when targeting properties in disrepair.
The ordinance reads, “It defines property owners as person owning, leasing, occupying possession of any private property in the City of West Haven, maintain such promises.”
I’m going to get explicit here today, because this ordinance defines a variety of blight, such as “any place that is dilapidated, a fire hazard, the site of illegal activity, threatens community safety or has damaged, missing or walls, roofs or floors.”
Now, here comes an interesting part, “prohibits piles of trash, abandoned or inoperable boats, or motor vehicles, overgrown grass and weeds as well as other negative elements,” that cause “serious depreciation of property value” or hinder the enjoyment of properties elsewhere.
Now, here is where the ordinance covers today’s complaint of high weeds, under the ordinance grass, weeds or similar vegetation, excluding flowers, fruit or vegetation, “may not reach or remain a height of eight inches or greater for 10 days or longer.”
It also tackles graffiti or unkempt swimming pools.
Violations carries a fine $100 per offense per day. The ordinance is enforced by the city’s property/maintenance officers and police.
For the first offense, the officials will issue a violation warning, second offense a citation. If the violation goes unpaid officials can put a lien on the property and any unpaid fine imposed by the city from the date it was levied can result in a foreclosure.
Citations issued are reported to the Fire, Building, Police, Public Works and Health Department and the zoning and corporation counsel’s office.
Now, most important, if you want to report a complaint, you can call the Building Department at 203 -937- 3590 Monday through Friday.
Reported this complaint to Councilman Peter Massaro to investigate. You’ll read his results in Gripe Vine.
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
Would someone help with a dangerous situation at Main and Third Avenue? Motorists are flying through the stop sign that is there. Why not increase the sign of the sign?
JM Frightened
Dear Frightened:
I notified Council Woman Bridgett Hoskie of this danger. She replied, “I will send this information to the Traffic Sergeant.” Has the situation improved here? Readers, let me know, please.
Readers, I have also responded to your complaints of speeding at Marion and Second Avenue by notifying Council Woman Elizabeth Johnston of this dangerous area. She replied, “I do not know what the exact procedure is for stop sign placement, but I will ask Sgt. D’Amato and get back to you.”
Gripe Vine Readers, here is another stop sign complaint from a reader, stating that a stop sign is needed at Leete and Campbell. Council Woman Bridgette Hoskie was notified of this request, and I am waiting for a reply.
I would like to through today’s column, to send a memo to the Traffic Department at the West Haven Police Department. I Know how busy our police officers are, but please take a moment, read this column and you will find many dangerous areas published here.. If you are posted or patrolling at hazardous spots, why not take a few minutes and report what is happening here. West Haven residents are concerned! Personally, I thank you.
Coming up: Hand railing needed at City Hall entrance…senior center comments…Second Avenue repeated speeding reports…tree removal at Central Avenue…..Bellvue Avenue container ….Howard Avenue dumpster…Captain Blvd. trees question..