September 23, 2007

Mayor sees blight progress

The mayor released this on Friday morning, but I only received it today:

In a prepared release, Mayor William T. Stortz reported that the response to the newly instituted city email address (bristolblight@ci.bristol.ct.us) to report building, health and property violations has been well received.

Stated Stortz, “I am happy that people are using this to report possible violations, and helping us to improve the overall appearance of the City.”

“One of the most common violations is the parking and storage of motor vehicles. It is also one of the least understood”, said the Mayor.

Stortz continued, “Simply put, a motor vehicle is any vehicle propelled or drawn by other than muscular power, (farm vehicles excluded.) Included in the definition are boats.

Unregistered or inoperable motor vehicles, including trucks or commercial vehicles shall not be stored, parked or kept on any open space within a residential area for longer than ten days.”

Stortz said, “From the City ordinance, it states, ‘A single private motor vehicle, if unregistered, may be stored in the rear half of the lot if there is a residence on the same lot. Such motor vehicle must be owned by the owner or lessees of the property. No parking will be allowed on vacant lots. On interior lots, no vehicle shall be parked or stored closer than five (5) feet to the neighboring property line and not closer than ten (10) feet to the rear line. In the case of corner lots, storage or parking must be in the far quarter of the lot, the farthest quarter from each and every street not closer than five (5) feet to the neighboring property line and not closer than ten (10) feet to the rear line.’”

Stortz concluded, “If clarification is needed, call the Building Department at City Hall at 860-584-6215. There are organizations that will remove vehicles from ones’ property, for free, and there may even be a tax break. If you do want to get rid of a vehicle(s), I suggest you contact one of these organizations.


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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have one question. How can an email make a difference when a complaint in person falls on deaf ears? Is this lame duck looking for something positive before he's gone?

Anonymous said...

The mayor's blight report program is a good positive step in the right direction.

Anonymous said...

It is progress but - this is the same guy who blocked everything the Council and especailly Ellen (do I dare say her name on this blog or will my computer explode?) did in the begining cuz he didn't get it, but now he is taking credit. It would have been nice if he at least mentioned the work the others did. He is not a one-man show.