Ordinance Allows Township to Repair Unfit Grounds at Owner's Expense

An ordinance approved Monday night by will allow the municipality to step in and repair properties in unfit condition — after providing notice — at the tenant or owner's expense.

The township enacted the ordinance due to an abundance of abandoned homes due to foreclosure, said council vice president Brendan Weiner.

"Recently, because of foreclosures, the township has been receiving a lot of complaints about properties with high grass and trees. 

The ordinance states that landowners and tenants must keep their land in a condition that is "not detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare."

"This keeping lands free of brush, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, roots obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, rubbish," the ordinance states.

Under the ordinance, the tenant or person in control of the property has 10 days to remedy any violations, which can be noted by township inspectors, construction officials, police or fire official, the ordinance states.

If the violation is not fixed within 10 days after receiving the notice, the township business administrator's office will determine the cost of remedying the issue and send letters through certified and regular mail to the violator, according to the ordinance. 

After that, the township will step in.

"The town will do cleanup and put a tax lien on the property for the cost of cleanup. The cost will include interest at the same rate as late taxes," Weiner said. 

"They are given plenty of time," said clerk Sabina Skibo. 

All council members voted in favor of the ordinance. Council president Craig Wallis was absent from the meeting and thus did not cast a vote.