NEW HAVEN – New Haven wants to clean up the city, beginning with trash and debris on unkempt properties.
The City Council agreed Tuesday to a first reading of new rules presented by the city’s code enforcement officer, Tim Fox.
The trash removal ordinance will allow the city to remove garbage or rubbish from any property found to be in violation and to then bill the occupants for the city’s services. That could include an hourly rate and a disposal charge, Fox said. If residents fail to pay the charges within 10 days, a tax lien would be placed against the property through the county auditor, he said.
Trash is defined as scrap metal, tires, appliances, furniture, boxes, ropes, boxes, barrels, rags, batteries, glass, construction debris, rubber, plumbing fixtures and any other item deemed to be trash or junk not housed in a building.
Two other proposed ordinances submitted by Fox were considered too vague or too restrictive and were rejected by the council. One included numerous requirements to regulate the interiors and exteriors of structures and external property areas, but city attorney Stephen Harants said he “had a lot of concerns.” Fox included photos of some buildings and homes in deteriorating condition.
“I’m concerned about the enforceability,” Harants said. Harants also advised against a proposed rule to restrict obstructions such as rocks and poles in the city’s right-of-way, saying that defining right-of-ways is always difficult, especially in court.
Further discussion or the proposed ordinances will take place at the next meeting, said Council President Tim Martin, R-5th.
