Showing posts with label blight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blight. Show all posts
August 26, 2014
Bring on your wrecking ball
July 2, 2014
Rockwell Park needs help, resident says
In short it looks like a pig sty! The amount of litter around the playgrounds, skate park and the ponds is out of control. Dirty diapers, plastic drink bottles, wrappers from every kind of food imaginable, paper towels, discarded clothing…the assortment is mind boggling. There are numerous trash barrels available (not always in the most convenient location) but they are not being used. A part of the problem I think falls under the heading “trash begets more trash”. If it is already filthy many people just will not care and will add to the blight.
I have heard Rockwell Park called “The Jewel of Bristol” and it really could be that if it was cleaned up. With 20,000 visitors expected to come to the Muzzy Field/Rockwell Park area this weekend you would think we could put on a better face than that. Never mind the visitors later in the summer to play little league.
The initial clean up could be assisted by some of the towns boy scouts (this might make a good Eagle Scout project). I am sure any number of people would volunteer for this worthwhile project. Going forward a more aggressive campaign about keeping the parks clean and more convenient location of trash barrels could help. Perhaps the Public Works or the Parks and Rec Dept could help clean up on a regular basis.
I also have noticed that the mulch under the playground equipment has not been replaced in at least a couple of years (save for an approximately 12X12 ft area where it looks like some mulch that was most likely left over from another project was tossed in with the old). The mulch is meant as a cushion to protect children if they should fall from the equipment. This old worn out mulch does not seem to be adequate to do the job.
How can we get this added to the “Blight Project” list?
June 26, 2014
City demolishes yet another blighted house
New press release from Mayor Ken Cockayne:
May 6, 2014
Cockayne takes aim at graffiti
Press release from Mayor Ken Cockayne:
The City of Bristol and Mayor Ken Cockayne (R-Bristol) continue to fight blight in the community. To date, six houses have been demolished that were failing to meet minimal standards. Several more have been put on notice. Code Enforcement has attacked this issue with vigor and will continue to do so.
As a second stage in the blight fight, Mayor Cockayne has instructed Code Enforcement to increase their efforts to address graffiti as well. “If any code official is out and see's graffiti I would like it addressed ASAP. In the past this was complaint driven. This will now be addressed when noticed.” said Mayor Cockayne.
Current statutes call for the removal of graffiti within ten days of notice from the building department. Failure to comply will result in the removal of the offending markings by a private contractor hired by the city. The resulting fees will be placed on the property in the manner of a tax lien which is allowed by local and state laws.
“We will continue to address blighted properties, but I feel we need to continue this fight on other levels as well. Graffiti is a public nuisance and is a criminal act. I for one am very concerned about what it says about our community to people visiting our town.” said Mayor Cockayne. “This next stage needs to be a community effort. I am asking for residents to speak up and report offenders. Educate your children on why graffiti is a criminal act.”
The Mayor is also considering the formation of a Graffiti Task Force, similar to those found in larger cities and urban centers. “I want to be proactive and very responsive to the needs of this community. There are Graffiti Task Forces in larger communities that have taken a very comprehensive approach to addressing this issue, including education, reporting, prosecution, removal teams, and many other functions. The best function though is how they seem to engage the public in addressing the issue. I would like to explore some of them and perhaps modify an existing model to meet our needs.”
One piece of this that the Mayor is hoping to unveil as soon as possible is a clear and effective way to report graffiti to the city. Mayor Cockayne stated, “I would like to see a link on our city webpage in which citizens can report graffiti with an attached photo and location. We can address it than follow up with the complainant when it has been remedied.”
“I look at blight as a quality of life issue and we have only just begun to fight. The tone has been set with code enforcement and the razing of properties not in compliance. We will continue that fight, but we are now taking things a step further and will pay increased attention to other contributing factors as well. The first one to be addressed will be graffiti. This time, my hope is to engage the public as well though. This is our town and we all have a responsibility to work together to improve it.”
March 1, 2014
City demolishes blighted Gridley Street house
The city ripped down a condemned three-decker house on Gridley Street Friday as part of its renewed blight fight.
Mayor Ken Cockayne said the house was in “real bad” shape and its owner had not responded to repeated orders to fix it up.
The 114-year-old house, condemned last September, had so much roof, siding, window and structural damage that saving it would have required extensive repairs, city officials said.
The owner, Erik Guerra of Monroe, could not be reached for comment.
Guerra bought it in 2004 for $154,000. The city recently appraised the property for $181,000, of which $42,000 was for the land alone.
The city’s building official, Guy Morin, issued an order Dec. 23 to raze the structure because he deemed it “unsafe, dangerous and unsanitary.” He gave the owner 10 days to take action, but nothing was done.
Cockayne said that by the time weather allowed for razing the house, it was “beyond repair” because so much water had poured in through the roof that its interior was utterly ruined.
An excavator hired by the city tore through the house Friday, reducing it to a pile of rubble in about four hours. The cost of the demolition will be charged to the owner, officials said.
The city has torn down several blighted houses since Cockayne took office promising to pick up the pace of a blight fight that’s been fought off and on since Mayor Frank Nicastro’s tenure more than a decade ago.
Cockayne said he has no intention of slowing down.
“We are not stopping,” he said. “Stay tuned. More to come.”
October 31, 2013
Council's code enforcement report questioned
Hi Derek,
I have been playing with the numbers from my FOI request to you based on the data you included in your Code Enforcement report to the City Council at the September meeting.
In those comments you said that “the City established the Code Enforcement Committee in 2008” and claimed that $1,121,417.27 in fines have been collected to date.
First, I found it intriguing that you claim that code enforcement began in 2008, when in fact the drive to tighten the City’s enforcement capabilities began in 2001. I am sure that Health Director Patricia Checko, Assistant Corporation Counsel Dale Clift, property owner Karen Pio, and the many city employees involved with revamping the City’s Property Maintenance Code would take issue with this statement.
But I was also curious about the dollar amount being touted. I asked a few people in City Hall about it, but no one seemed to know exactly where the number came from which is why I did a FOI request for your report and the source information you used to compile it.
According to the data on properties that had been the subject of code enforcement actions, the total amount billed to code violators since 2008 was $1,339,044.28. You then apparently subtracted $217,626.95 (which represents the amount that the City has not yet collected, but expects to) to reach your number of $1,121,417.27.
But you did not subtract fines which the City has deemed uncollectible, which total $384,467.72. This is a misrepresentation of the numbers, or a case of you not understanding the data that you was given.
If you reduced $1,121,417.27 by the uncollectable amount of $384,467.72, it leaves you with only $736,949.55. This is the true amount of code enforcement fees collected. That’s an error of 35%.
Apparently no one questioned your report or your calculations during your presentation that evening. That's even more disturbing to me.
I am also concerned that the members of the City Council, especially Councilman Cockayne, will interchange the terms “lien” and “fines”. A lien is not a fine. The $1,121, 417.27 figure does not represent fines – they are liens recorded in the City’s land records against these properties to recoup monies that the City of Bristol spent doing code enforcement to keep our buildings safe.
Your presentation at the September City Council meeting also included the statement that “seven arrests were made over this span” which is not true. Infractions are not arrests.
I commend you for submitting a report on blight and code enforcement at the September City Council meeting, especially in light of the events that have put the West End in the spotlight over the summer. Your report included data from code enforcement programs that have been in existence for a number of years prior to your election and the election of most of your colleagues on the Council. And while some might say that was simply an attempt to pad your presentation, I think it IS important that city resources be coordinated to provide a seamless network of services with common goals, and to avoid duplication. The fact that this communication and coordination did not exist was the premise for several of us creating a comprehensive code enforcement program back in 2001.
In the 2 years since Democratic City Councilman Kevin McCauley left the Council and his role as chairman of the Code Enforcement Committee, City Councilmen have been noticeably absent from the monthly code enforcement meetings. That sends the clear message that code enforcement is not a policy priority for our current leaders…at least, not until it’s time to run for re-election.
I find it ironic that Ken Cockayne is running for mayor, boasting at the Chamber debate that he both works and lives adjacent to the West End and downtown neighborhoods he was elected to represent, yet he did not attend a single Code Enforcement committee meeting in the last 2 years. According to the minutes, Councilmen Martin and Mills made occasional visits to the meetings. No one else did. Actions speak louder than words.
This is clearly too much of a "inside baseball" policy wonk discussion to have with voters 5 days before the election. I wish that it had been a discussion at the Chamber debate or that I had been able to drill down to these numbers sooner so we could have had a policy discussion about it. I look forward to correcting the misrepresentation after Election Day so that whatever the mix of new elected officials ends up being, they will have an accurate foundation from which to begin the next chapter of Code Enforcement over the next two years.
Sincerely,
Ellen Zoppo-Sassu
And here is Czenczelewski's response to her, sent out about half an hour ago:
Ellen,
Thank you for your email. The numbers you are questioning came directly from information I received from the various department heads and City employees tasked with providing said information. I did not manipulate the numbers in any way. They were reported as they were given to me.
I have CC'd each member who helped compile the information, as it sounds your greivance is with them, not me. Hopefully they will be able to correct any misinformation you found from your expert analysis.
Thank you,
Derek
Derek -
I look forward to it.
And for the record, my "grievance" is most certainly not with any city employee who supplied you with exactly the information you requested. I am taking issue with how you calculated your numbers as represented in the report you read, from the material given to you by the city employees, at the September City Council meeting. If someone else wrote that report for you, please let me know and I will re-direct my question.
I stand by the number of $736,949.55.
And for the record, my email to you did not include any cc's or bcc's. That being said, since you chose to cc people, I encourage you to share it with your other Council colleagues and any others who endorsed the report as given in September.
~Ellen
September 11, 2013
West End Association lays out plan
West End Association Proposals
1. We ask the City to install a QUALITY CAMERA SYSTEM to keep an invisible eye on the main intersections. It is less expensive to watch camera monitors than it is to have two man patrols 24 hours a day all week long and it is very easy to review during slow times. We appreciate and need the current police efforts, and we ask the city to permanently fund the patrols to keep the situation under control and serve as a welcome outreach into the business community.
2. We want to help establish a long term NEIGHBORHOOD AWARENESS PROGRAM. This program, with the help of the Association, would put together meetings with groups of residents to get them to know the local police officers and city officials, to hear the residents concerns, and to establish a good rapport. This will build trust and open up a line of dialog that doesn’t exist right now. Neighborhood watch signs would also act as a deterrent in the area.
3. BRISTOL’S TAX FREEZE PROGRAM is a great way to encourage property owners to improve their properties, but it needs improvement. It needs an adjustment of the qualifying criteria so that a building does not have to be totally awful to qualify, and some major advertising. No one knows about it! A tax freeze is a great way to encourage improvements that are a win win situation for the city. Just imagine how many properties could be substantially improved with no loss of money to the city and a promise of future tax dollars? We also request an increase in the allocation to the business facade improvement program.
4. We want the city to reestablish a regular APARTMENT INSPECTION PROGRAM. This program will establish guidelines for the safety, security and sanitation of every apartment throughout Bristol. This program, with input from landlords, will insure a fair and reasonable inspection process that is tough yet realistic. If we can establish this minimum standard and apply it to all residential apartments, we will insure that our residents have a safe, sanitary and secure place to live. This program should also create a tough no tolerance policy for any landlord that refuses to bring their property up to this minimum standard.
5. The West End Association would like to work collaboratively with the City of Bristol on a plan to revitalize business in the neighborhood. Part of the plan would be to identify strategic underperforming properties, which if removed, would allow for more opportunities for future development. Available customer parking is a major concern for businesses in the area. We have some beautiful and classic buildings and these additional parking options must work to preserve the character and context of the neighborhood. Through the strategic placement of new parking, both shared and municipal, we can achieve both goals.
September 10, 2013
City leaders lay out "the facts on blight"
The
Facts on Blight
Over the past few weeks,
blight and code enforcement have been hot topics in Bristol. Suggestions have
been made that this current City Council has not done “enough” to curtail
blight and enforce codes. However, the facts of the City’s blight reduction and
code enforcement efforts over the past six years, and particularly the last
two, actually make an argument much to the contrary.
In 2008, the City established
the Code Enforcement Committee, consistent of representation from the Chief
Building Official, Director of Bristol/ Burlington Health District, Chief of
Police or his designee, Zoning Enforcement Officer, Fire Marshal, Director of
Public Works or their designees and chaired by a member of the City Council,
currently Mayor Ward. This group meets monthly to coordinate the City's
anti-blight and code enforcement measures. Since the creation of the Code
Enforcement Committee, the number of code complaints received has totaled 7891,
or approximately 1500 per year. The two years prior to the creation of this
committee, the City had received just 129 complaints total.
The City has resolved 96% of
the complaints received since 2008, and has billed violators a total of $1.34
million dollars, with approximately $1.1 million already collected. Seven
arrests were made over this span, and since 2012, the number of abatement
orders issued has increased by 40 percent.
In 2010 the City was able to
further streamline and consolidate the process by assigning the duties of the
former Code Enforcement Officer to a Lieutenant. This simple, yet effective
consolidation measure was implemented after the Building Department and Police
Department established the lack of a necessity for a full-time, Code
Enforcement Officer. By merging the duties of the Code Enforcement Officer with
the Lieutenant’s responsibilities, the City was able to cut costs while still
performing the essential functions of the position.
But the City hasn’t just been
cracking down on blight and enforcing housing codes, we have been approaching
it and other quality of life issues through a multi-faceted approach. This
approach has combined enforcement with incentives for private investment into
these blighted properties.
In 2008, the City implemented
a “Tax Assessment Freeze Program”. This program authorizes the Tax Assessor to
freeze assessments of rehabilitated properties. The goal of the program is to
help achieve the rehabilitation of blighted property by freezing the assessment
of the property to a point established prior to rehabilitation. Once a
certificate of occupancy is issued, the “freeze” lasts for a duration of five
years.
However, if the property
becomes the object of an enforcement action by any member of the Code
Enforcement Committee during this time period, the adjusted assessment can be
revoked by the City Assessor. Furthermore, if a property owner or the property
owner’s spouse, business partner, or other entity associated with the property
owner caused the blighted condition or violation of codes, they are exempt from
participating in the program.
Since the creation of the
program, 16 properties have participated. However, eight of the participating
properties have occurred since 2012, with an additional eight applications
currently pending. In other words, participation in the program has increased
by 100% since 2012.
Between the 16 properties who
have taken part in, and applied for the program since 2012, there has been over
$1.1 million in private investment. The resulting impact has been a future
increase in taxable assets, as well as a significant increase in property
values at these locations, and for their surrounding neighbors.
Pre-rehabilitation property values for these properties have averaged
approximately $97,000. Post-rehabilitation property values have averaged
approximately $171,000, an increase of about $74,000 on an average investment
of about $69,000.
Another successful program
has been the Bristol Development Authority’s Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Home Rehabilitation program. Since 2008, the CDBG Home Rehabilitation
Program has provided nearly $1.3 million in grants for renovations. The Home
Rehabilitation Program allows qualifying homeowners the ability to receive a
percentage of the renovation costs in the form of a grant. These funds come by
way of the Federal government’s CDBG program. 532 units have been renovated
utilizing CDBG funds since 2008.
The Council is continuing to
work with City departments to create a comprehensive package and a marketing
plan of all the incentives currently offered to private investors for the
rehabilitation of blighted properties and code compliance measures. In
addition, we have been working to create and implement a multi-family
homebuyers program that will help promote more private homeownership, and
ultimately, reduce the number of absentee landlords in the City. In the West
End alone, over 40 percent of homes are owned by a landlord who does not live
in Bristol.
The Mayor and the rest of the
current City Council understand the importance of cleaning up the City, and
have pushed for an even greater focus on blight and code enforcement over the
past two years. Understanding the tough economic conditions facing the City,
this administration has had to do more with less in order to avoid saddling our
taxpayers with even greater expenses. Between the incentives offered to spur
private investment, as well as the responsible appropriation of surplus funds
when possible, this administration has tackled the issue with a sustainable
approach that is both effective, and cost efficient.
Going forward, we will
continue the progress gained with regard to these efforts. Blight and code
enforcement will always be an on-going battle, but we are fully committed to
continuing the positive momentum. With a little patience, increased private
investment, continued responsible and sustainable City funding, and the
continued community efforts exhibited by our wonderful neighborhood
associations, we know this is a battle the city of Bristol will win.
Sincerely,
The Bristol City Council
-Mayor Arthur J. Ward
-City Councilor Eric Carlson
-City Councilor Ken Cockayne
-City Councilor Derek Czenczelewski
-City Councilor Henri Martin
-City Councilor David Mills
-City Councilor Mayra Sampson
September 3, 2013
Cockayne says he'll push for code money
Cocakyne Asks Ward
For Money To Fund Code Enforcement.
(Bristol) City
Councilman Ken Cockayne, the Republican nominee for Mayor this November has
sent a letter to Mayor Arthur J. ward asking him to put an item on next
Tuesday’s City Council agenda to send a request to the Board of Finance to
create a $250,000 revolving fund for Code Enforcement.
The money would come from a windfall check received last
week from the State of Connecticut for the Municipal Revenue Cost Sharing
Account that was not budgeted as income in this year’s budget. The City of Bristol received $493,000 as its
share of this account.
“As it has been well documented over the years the major
problem with code enforcement in Bristol is the lack of dollars allocated to
it,” Cockayne continued, “This unanticipated revenue can and should be used to
start the process of real code enforcement in Bristol.”
Cockayne added, “These dollars should be used immediately in
the West End and Federal Hill areas of Bristol to deal with our absentee
landlord problem, and we should also be looking at homes that have been foreclosed
in Bristol and are now owned by banks and mortgage companies who are allowing
these properties to become blighted,” Cockayne continued.”This is happening in
all areas of our community and it is becoming a real eyesore to many
homeowners.”
“I am confident that with the support of the City Council
and Board of Finance, we will quickly see progress in the area of code
enforcement and this new funding source will lead to quick results for our
neighborhoods,” Cockayne concluded.
Wilson: City needs to beef up blight fight
Chris Wilson Taps Personal Experience To
Create Plan To Fight Blight.
Democratic mayoral candidate Chris Wilson knows firsthand the
benefits of code enforcement and blight reduction efforts. “Not long
ago, the area where my business is located on Main Street was very dangerous,
very run down.” Wilson said. “But now, thanks to a wide-ranging
effort including local business owners, Bristol police and local civic
organizations, the area is much safer, and cleaner. Several old buildings
have come down and new buildings and owners have moved in.” Wilson added.
Wilson believes the same kind of effort needs to be initiated in
Bristol’s West End. He believes it's time for the city of Bristol to
step up and support a West End clean-up.
Wilson’s anti-blight plan starts with code enforcement and
Performance Based Budgeting. “My opponent has been in the press lately
taking about blight, but what he doesn’t talk about is his failure to support
the position of the former code-enforcement officer, the person most
responsible for forcing absentee landlords to maintain their properties,”
Wilson said. “Mr. Cockayne is once again offering Bristol residents lip-service
rather than leadership. Not once in the 6 years Mr. Cockayne has
served on the city council has he addressed blight in a meaningful
way. Now that Mr. Cockayne is running for Mayor, it’s suddenly
important to him. Moreover, not once has Mr. Cockayne suggested a
way to pay for his blight initiative without raising taxes. I have.”
Wilson stated.
Wilson is referring to his plan to initiate citywide Performance
Based Budgeting reform designed to find efficiencies in Bristol’s
$180,000,000.00 budget. Wilson went on to say, “16 cities across the
country, many counties and the State of Washington have embraced Performance
Based Budgeting, have found efficiencies and have been able to support critical
programs without raising taxes. If we find just 1/2% in savings in
our budget, we’ll save $900,000.00. More than enough to hire back
the code enforcement officer that Ken Cockayne failed to
support.”
As Mayor, Chris Wilson pledges to take on the absentee landlords,
the drug dealers and criminals who use run-down properties as
safe-havens. Wilson highlights that his blight effort will reduce
drug activity and violence, increase property values, make Bristol more
attractive to businesses and improve Bristol's quality of life. And,
unlike his opponent, Mr. Wilson has offered a way to pay for his initiative
without raising taxes.
For more information about Chris Wilson’s campaign for Mayor of
Bristol, log onto www.votewfm2013.com.
August 13, 2013
Zoppo-Sassu: No more lip service on blight
Background Information
During my terms on the City Council from 2001-2007, code enforcement and reduction of blight was a key bipartisan focus. Councilmen Ron Burns, Craig Minor and Kevin McCauley, among others, spent many hours visiting residents living in unsafe or hazardous conditions.
From that, many positive policies were enacted including redefining blight and updating the city's property maintenance code. http://library.municode.com/
The Origin of Code Enforcement
Many department heads and community groups such as the Greater Bristol Property Owners Association and the Federal Hill Association spent months discussing these issues in order to streamline the complaint process, appeals process, and communications among departments that has enforcement capability. It was interesting to note that from these joint meetings, that occurred during these city employees' regular work days and thus cost the taxpayer nothing, a list of targeted properties emerged.
Not to many people's surprise, the Fire Marshal, the Sanitation engineer assigned to housing code from the Bristol-Burlington Health District, the Zoning Enforcement Officer, the Police Department, city lawyers and Solid Waste employees from Public Works all had certain addresses in common.The Bristol Housing Authority also provided expertise as to what was required for Section 8 inspections. It was very easy to thus coordinate responses and systematically approach problem properties and create lists for property owners to resolve their code issues.
Many of these properties were NOT owned by local residents who owned real estate as an investment and who are thus "invested" in the community. In fact, we had seen a large influx of out-of-town investors who found Bristol to be an attractive community due to its stable tax rate and affordable and abundant supply of multi-unit housing. These absentee landlords were squeezing every last drop of income from these properties with little to no maintenance, and flipping them between various LLCs.
The only way to get the attention of these types of predatory investors is to hit them in the wallet and pocketbooks. Code enforcement accomplished that, especially when the police department added code enforcement to a police officer's assignment. It also eliminated a large amount of liability from the city, which is charged by state statute to inspect multi-unit properties annually. This is rarely accomplished due to the volume of inspections that would need to be done. By targeting the most egregious of the properties, the city was at least assured that the most hazardous of conditions were addressed.
Code Enforcement Over the Last Six Years
It is my understanding that code enforcement is now a watered down version of what it once was and priority is not assigned to it. While there are still some enforcement officials that meet, attendance from the original group is occasional, nor have any of the current city councilmen or the current mayor, who put himself as the code enforcement liaison, regularly attend the meetings.
I am sincerely puzzled by Mr. Cockayne's great unveil of his blight initiative. He has represented the Second District, including the West End, for 6 years, and his two major initiatives are a website contact to report blight and timely graffiti removal?
I do have some good news for him - the definition of "blight" and how to file a complaint is currently already on the city's website under the Frequently Asked Questions section.http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/
So now that blight is all set, I would like to suggest that we turn our attention to the real solutions our problem areas.
Code enforcement is a city's umbrella insurance policy. It can have a positive impact on many aspects of the city and its quality of life. Let's consider the West End - what many optimistically term an area "still in transition. Yet, in the immediate radius of the West and School St. intersection, there are a scarce number of local owners who are not selective about tenants, just as long as they pay.
The loitering, along with public drug use and sales, have not created a welcoming environment for customers or residents. The housing density in this area is too much, with too little to support it in the way of parking and green space. There are some great retail spaces in this neighborhood but if you cannot attract customers, how is the city's BDA or Chamber of Commerce supposed to place businesses that will endure? Niche businesses such as South Side Meat Market, Valle's Shoe Repair, Hamelin's and others are the anchors. How much longer will they be able to fight the tide without substantive action beyond well-intentioned people showing up to do clean-ups in front of cameras?
Departments working together to share information and resources are the best tool we have yet none of this has been effectively implemented and in fact, elements of it have been dismantled. I recall that in 2007, in just over one year, a certain property in the West End accumulated 105 calls-for-service, along with various code violations. The code enforcement group at the time, along with the police, took several actions which resulted in the problem being resolved.
Landlords who refuse to lease out commercial or residential properties so they can claim tax write-offs should have to pay fines to address the issues that come with vacant properties. Or they can be persuaded to sell them if the cost is too high for them to abate, or the City can start a public-private fund to start purchasing the problem properties and solve the issue through re-use, re-sale, condemnation, demolition, or reduction in the number of available units.
I would also suggest that Mr. Cockayne peruse the West End Study that was approved in 2011. This is a phenomenal planning tool that was created by neighborhood stakeholders and has several substantive recommendations, none of which were addressed in Mr. Cockayne's Plan. Nothing is more frustrating that elected officials who go through the motions with no substance. Different components of this plan should be front and center at every Council meeting, and every Council committee should be attacking the areas of which they have jurisdiction, as well as having community conversations with stakeholders such as the business owners, schools, Chamber, social service organizations and responsible property owners.
But whenever people start to talk about real solutions, that require real investment, both financially and emotionally, this Council gets nervous about public reaction and they collectively put on their "we can't spend money because the taxpayers will be angry" hats.
Realistically, I think they are already angry. As a homeowner in a diverse neighborhood, I know that my neighbors have a zero tolerance for some of the associated patterns that result from absentee landlords. Negligent landlords who rent without benefit of tenant screening contribute to the dozens of registered sex offenders who live in Bristol, many of them in these units. The other patterns of crime rate, police calls for service, back taxes, unpaid water bills, large numbers of children coming into the community who qualify for free and reduced lunch,risk to firefighters and other emergency workers going into unsafe buildings, unlicensed animals, cases of animal abuse, and many other factors cannot be overlooked with the big picture.
If we want to fix the West End, Federal Hill, or any of other of our neighborhoods which have elements that are contrary to what we want to define as strong and vibrant communities, then it's time to put actions to our words and not just worry about the superficial issues that do not define the problem.
I look forward to being a candidate for City Council this fall, and discussing my thoughts and ideas in as many candidate forums and meetings as we can schedule between now and November 5th.
July 21, 2010
City cracking down on stray shopping carts
A new city law prohibits people from taking shopping carts off store premises and cracks down on establishments that let it happen.City Councilor Kevin McCauley said the new ordinance, which takes effect in two weeks, imposes a “very stringent” standard on the use of shopping carts.
“We’ve been very lax” to this point, said McCauley, who heads the Ordinance Committee.
Municipal officials have long complained that shopping carts wind up littering the sides of roads, dumped in waterways and otherwise become eyesores. Collecting them is, at best, a hassle for public works.
The new law allows police to charge anyone caught off-site with a shopping cart that belongs to a store with an infraction that carries a $90 fine.
Property owners will be held responsible when a cart is found on their land. They, too, can be slapped with an infraction. CLICK HERE FOR STORY.
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
June 18, 2010
City cracks down on Marine Court blight
Kerr is by most accounts a bright, kind man who clearl has a penchant for collecting all the junk he can drag to his land, where it is jammed into collapsing sheds and seemingly filling up his dilapidated house as well. I counted more than two dozen broken bicycles sticking out of piles of debris, not even counting the handful I watched D'Amato's cranes drop into a dumpster.
Kerr is no ordinary pack rat. He's in a league by himself, at least in Bristol. He reminds me of some folks I ran across down South who had barn after barn loaded to the brim with bric-a-brac -- old bottles, rusty tools, cars in various states of disrepair and farm equipment that hadn't been used in decades. They never threw anything away.
Kerr, on the other hand, not only never throws anything out, he picks up whatever he can from the debris that others put out at the curb.
I don't know the answer for dealing with people like Kerr. Surely throwing him in jail would be both pointless and cruel, no way to treat a Vietnam veteran who grew up on the property and then filled it with the tossaways of others.
On the other hand, I saw a collapsing shed only a few feet from a nice little home. That's not OK either.
You can read reporter Jackie Majerus' story about the situation here and her sensitive blog post about it here.
This story isn't over.
The city is going after Kerr's house as well. You can see why from this picture, showing the view in from a rear window:
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 9, 2009
City bans tall grass
A new city law bars most property owners from allowing their grass to grow higher than eight inches.
The ordinance, approved unanimously by city councilors this week, calls for the city to give property owners who violate the statute 10 days to mow their lawns or else a city-hired contractor will do it for them.
The property owner would have to pick up the tab, officials said.
The new law aims “to deal with tall grass,” said city Councilor Craig Minor, who chairs the Ordinance Committee.
It bars most property owners – farmers are one exception – from allowing grass or weeds to stretch more than eight inches toward the sky An exception is made for ornamental grasses used in gardens.
City Councilor Ken Cockayne said the law is “a great idea” but expressed concern that allowing ornamental grasses and weeds could wind up vexing enforcers.
Building Official Guy Morin, who is responsible for issuing warnings, said he’s not concerned about the exception for gardeners.
“We can tell the difference” between high, weedy lawns and gardens, Morin said.
Morin said the city opted not to impose fines for violators because its goal is simply to make sure people cut their grass.
City Councilor Mike Rimouski said he’s glad to see a crackdown in the offing.
Rimcoski complained about some tall grass mixed with garbage near the corner of Route 6 and North Main Street.
"That place is really to pot -- and I don't mean the kind that you smoke," he said.
Tall grass laws can be problematic.
Though many homeowners accept the logic of Frank Scott, an early landscape architect who once insisted “a smooth closely shaven surface is by far the most essential element of beauty on the grounds of a suburban house,” some have adopted later arguments by environmentalists who are pushing for more natural yards.
A 1993 John Marshall Law Review article took a stand in favor of those pushing for a more environmentally friendly approach.
It argued that local weed laws serve “to protect and proliferate exotic mono-turf” that are “the most obvious example of humankind’s disregard for nature.”
Localities that have taken a more eco-friendly route tend to refrain from passing laws dictating grass height or allow bigger exceptions for homeowners who are trying to have yards that fit their climate and natural culture, according to the law review piece.
Those who favor height restrictions mostly due so for the same reason that blight laws exist, because overgrown, unsightly yards tend to detract from nearby property values and can contribute to undermining neighborhoods.
Bristol used to have a law requiring that grass be cut, but it was accidentally knocked out of the statute book during a revision of blight and code enforcement laws a few years ago.
During a discussion of the issue in committee last year, Rimcoski asked his colleagues, "Did you know that bamboo is classified as grass?"
"And marijuana is not," responded Minor. "Go figure."
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The ordinance, approved unanimously by city councilors this week, calls for the city to give property owners who violate the statute 10 days to mow their lawns or else a city-hired contractor will do it for them.
The property owner would have to pick up the tab, officials said.
The new law aims “to deal with tall grass,” said city Councilor Craig Minor, who chairs the Ordinance Committee.
It bars most property owners – farmers are one exception – from allowing grass or weeds to stretch more than eight inches toward the sky An exception is made for ornamental grasses used in gardens.
City Councilor Ken Cockayne said the law is “a great idea” but expressed concern that allowing ornamental grasses and weeds could wind up vexing enforcers.
Building Official Guy Morin, who is responsible for issuing warnings, said he’s not concerned about the exception for gardeners.
“We can tell the difference” between high, weedy lawns and gardens, Morin said.
Morin said the city opted not to impose fines for violators because its goal is simply to make sure people cut their grass.
City Councilor Mike Rimouski said he’s glad to see a crackdown in the offing.
Rimcoski complained about some tall grass mixed with garbage near the corner of Route 6 and North Main Street.
"That place is really to pot -- and I don't mean the kind that you smoke," he said.
Tall grass laws can be problematic.
Though many homeowners accept the logic of Frank Scott, an early landscape architect who once insisted “a smooth closely shaven surface is by far the most essential element of beauty on the grounds of a suburban house,” some have adopted later arguments by environmentalists who are pushing for more natural yards.
A 1993 John Marshall Law Review article took a stand in favor of those pushing for a more environmentally friendly approach.
It argued that local weed laws serve “to protect and proliferate exotic mono-turf” that are “the most obvious example of humankind’s disregard for nature.”
Localities that have taken a more eco-friendly route tend to refrain from passing laws dictating grass height or allow bigger exceptions for homeowners who are trying to have yards that fit their climate and natural culture, according to the law review piece.
Those who favor height restrictions mostly due so for the same reason that blight laws exist, because overgrown, unsightly yards tend to detract from nearby property values and can contribute to undermining neighborhoods.
Bristol used to have a law requiring that grass be cut, but it was accidentally knocked out of the statute book during a revision of blight and code enforcement laws a few years ago.
During a discussion of the issue in committee last year, Rimcoski asked his colleagues, "Did you know that bamboo is classified as grass?"
"And marijuana is not," responded Minor. "Go figure."
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
August 1, 2009
City hired unlicensed contractor to knock down house
For an emergency demolition a year ago, the city hired a contractor to tear down a Fall Mountain Road house.
However, the contractor, Letourneau Builders of 550 South St., that the city chose to raze a three-family home at 385 Fall Mountain Road owned by Melanie Church-Dlugokenski, was unlicensed.
After an investigation, state police last month charged Letourneau, 38, with engaging in the business of demolition without a certificate of registration from the state Department of Public Safety.
City Building Official Guy Morin, who condemned the house and gave Letourneau the order to demolish it, said Friday he thought Letourneau — who was registered by the state as a new home and home improvement contractor — was properly licensed.
“It was a mistake on my part that I didn’t confirm that he had the actual certificate in his hand,” said Morin. “It’s never happened to me before. It won’t happen again.”
Letourneau could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Art Ward said steps have been taken to ensure the city would never repeat the mistake.
“I was quite upset when I was informed about it,” Ward said Friday.
Morin said, though, that he has no second thoughts about whether the house needed to come down.
“It was unsafe. It was open to trespass. It was a catastrophe waiting to happen,” Morin said. “Part of the house had already collapsed.”
Letourneau charged the city $59,600 , a figure that Morin said included asbestos abatement, a job Morin said Letourneau gave to a sub-contractor. “It was a very big house and they did a lot of work,” said Morin.
Attorney Ralph Keen, who represents Church-Dlugokenski, said his client’s civil rights were violated.
Keen said Bristol Police Officer Tom Lavigne, who initially called Morin’s attention to the house, had no right to be on the property in the first place.
According to state police paperwork on the Letourneau case, on May 7, 2008, Lavigne “conducted an investigation of the property … upon reportedly observing an unregistered junk vehicle in the driveway.”
Lavigne looked around some more, the affidavit says, and then called Morin and asked him to inspect the structure.
Morin condemned the house that day, and he and Lavigne posted a notice of condemnation and “secured the perimeter with yellow barrier tape,” the affidavit says.
The following day, Morin ordered Letourneau to demolish the house, according to the affidavit. On June 18, more than a month later, Morin told the city assessor’s office that the building had been razed between June 16 and June 18.
Keen claimed that Letourneau arrived with bulldozers on May 8 and commenced demolition.
“Within one day, the house was essentially destroyed,” said Keen.
But Morin said there were no bulldozers or demolition equipment at the house on May 8.
“She had at least a whole month before anything was done there,” said Morin.
Though Keen acknowledged that the house “wasn’t pristine,” he and Morin differed on the severity of its problems.
“Animals were living in it. Beams were falling in,” said Morin, who said work on the house had been done incorrectly, contributing to the problem. He said there were several additions to the structure and that some of the worst damage was behind an attached garage.
“The roof had caved in. The floor had rotted out. It was unsafe,” Morin said. “There was imminent danger that the main house was going to collapse.”
Keen said the owner’s husband, Don Dlugokenski, was living in the house, but Morin said he saw no sign that anyone was living there.
“It was a total disaster inside the house,” said Morin.
Not so, said Keen.
“The house had stood there in that condition for months,” said Keen.
While Keen admitted that there were “issues” with the roof and some parts had fallen in, that raccoons had moved in – and some had died in the house – he said there was nothing dangerous about it. It was a big house, and no one was living in the problem areas, said Keen, who said it was in the process of being repaired.
Keen maintains that his client, who lives in Terryville, was away in Florida during the demolition and that she didn’t know what was happening until she returned home and found a letter from the city and her house gone.
Morin said it didn’t happen that way. He said there was plenty of time for the owner to make repairs or halt the demolition process.
He issued an order to the owner to repair, but got no response, Morin said.
“She took no action to stop it,” said Morin. “She was happy it was coming down. She had an insurance policy that included demolition of the building.”
It was only after the insurance company decided that it was the owner’s neglect that brought on the problems and wouldn’t pay out, said Morin, that the owner became upset.
Keen said that’s “ludicrous,” that no homeowner has insurance that covers demolition. She had insurance, he said, but she’s still discussing the settlement.
Morin, he said, is “begging for cover” and the city is busy trying to cover its tracks.
Church-Dlugokenski is “emotionally distraught” about the demolition, said Keen.
No lawsuit has been filed over the demolition, said Keen, but one is pending.
Since the Fall Mountain Road house, Morin said Letourneau hasn’t done any other demolition for the city, but has done some boarding up work because, he said, “None of the other contractors were available.”
As the city’s building official, Morin signed Letourneau’s application to the state for a demolition license.
Letourneau told Morin and other contractors that he got the license, said Morin.
“I think he really believed he had a license,” said Morin. “I don’t know why it wasn’t granted.”
City has new procedures now
A month before hiring an unlicensed contractor to tear down a Fall Mountain home on an emergency basis, the city solicited bids from demolition companies interested in getting calls when the building office needed a structure torn down quickly.
The timing was unfortunate, though, because the bids were due on May 12, just after the city hired Dan Letourneau Builders to handle the Fall Mountain Road job.
By June, the City Council had chosen three city firms to handle the emergency work, turning down Letourneau’s bid along with a handful of others.
Purchasing Agent Roger Rousseau said the council established a one-year contract with the firms so that officials would call them on a case-by-case basis if a building had to come down unexpectedly.
He said officials opted to create the list, he said, because they knew that a vigorous new code enforcement effort might lead to a number of emergency demolitions. They wanted to be ready, he said.
The companies that were picked were checked to ensure they had the necessary licenses, Rousseau said.
Once the mistake with Letourneau Builders was recognized last summer, officials paid special attention to the issue.
“We took steps to ensure it won’t recur,” Mayor Art Ward said. By adding more checks and balances to the process, he said, there shouldn’t be any more mistakes.
This year, as the contract ended, the city decided to create a different policy.
Rousseau said that if the building official orders a building razed, the purchasing office will call companies in the business and get price quotes. Before accepting the lowest, he said, the contractor will be checked out to make sure it can do the job legally.
An emergency demolition would require the approval of the mayor and Board of Finance chairman, Rousseau said, as well as a report to the finance panel at its next meeting.
Rousseau said he’ll make sure everything’s done right.
“Everything has to be shown in accordance with all the appropriate qualifications,” Ward said.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
However, the contractor, Letourneau Builders of 550 South St., that the city chose to raze a three-family home at 385 Fall Mountain Road owned by Melanie Church-Dlugokenski, was unlicensed.
After an investigation, state police last month charged Letourneau, 38, with engaging in the business of demolition without a certificate of registration from the state Department of Public Safety.
City Building Official Guy Morin, who condemned the house and gave Letourneau the order to demolish it, said Friday he thought Letourneau — who was registered by the state as a new home and home improvement contractor — was properly licensed.
“It was a mistake on my part that I didn’t confirm that he had the actual certificate in his hand,” said Morin. “It’s never happened to me before. It won’t happen again.”
Letourneau could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Art Ward said steps have been taken to ensure the city would never repeat the mistake.
“I was quite upset when I was informed about it,” Ward said Friday.
Morin said, though, that he has no second thoughts about whether the house needed to come down.
“It was unsafe. It was open to trespass. It was a catastrophe waiting to happen,” Morin said. “Part of the house had already collapsed.”
Letourneau charged the city $59,600 , a figure that Morin said included asbestos abatement, a job Morin said Letourneau gave to a sub-contractor. “It was a very big house and they did a lot of work,” said Morin.
Attorney Ralph Keen, who represents Church-Dlugokenski, said his client’s civil rights were violated.
Keen said Bristol Police Officer Tom Lavigne, who initially called Morin’s attention to the house, had no right to be on the property in the first place.
According to state police paperwork on the Letourneau case, on May 7, 2008, Lavigne “conducted an investigation of the property … upon reportedly observing an unregistered junk vehicle in the driveway.”
Lavigne looked around some more, the affidavit says, and then called Morin and asked him to inspect the structure.
Morin condemned the house that day, and he and Lavigne posted a notice of condemnation and “secured the perimeter with yellow barrier tape,” the affidavit says.
The following day, Morin ordered Letourneau to demolish the house, according to the affidavit. On June 18, more than a month later, Morin told the city assessor’s office that the building had been razed between June 16 and June 18.
Keen claimed that Letourneau arrived with bulldozers on May 8 and commenced demolition.
“Within one day, the house was essentially destroyed,” said Keen.
But Morin said there were no bulldozers or demolition equipment at the house on May 8.
“She had at least a whole month before anything was done there,” said Morin.
Though Keen acknowledged that the house “wasn’t pristine,” he and Morin differed on the severity of its problems.
“Animals were living in it. Beams were falling in,” said Morin, who said work on the house had been done incorrectly, contributing to the problem. He said there were several additions to the structure and that some of the worst damage was behind an attached garage.
“The roof had caved in. The floor had rotted out. It was unsafe,” Morin said. “There was imminent danger that the main house was going to collapse.”
Keen said the owner’s husband, Don Dlugokenski, was living in the house, but Morin said he saw no sign that anyone was living there.
“It was a total disaster inside the house,” said Morin.
Not so, said Keen.
“The house had stood there in that condition for months,” said Keen.
While Keen admitted that there were “issues” with the roof and some parts had fallen in, that raccoons had moved in – and some had died in the house – he said there was nothing dangerous about it. It was a big house, and no one was living in the problem areas, said Keen, who said it was in the process of being repaired.
Keen maintains that his client, who lives in Terryville, was away in Florida during the demolition and that she didn’t know what was happening until she returned home and found a letter from the city and her house gone.
Morin said it didn’t happen that way. He said there was plenty of time for the owner to make repairs or halt the demolition process.
He issued an order to the owner to repair, but got no response, Morin said.
“She took no action to stop it,” said Morin. “She was happy it was coming down. She had an insurance policy that included demolition of the building.”
It was only after the insurance company decided that it was the owner’s neglect that brought on the problems and wouldn’t pay out, said Morin, that the owner became upset.
Keen said that’s “ludicrous,” that no homeowner has insurance that covers demolition. She had insurance, he said, but she’s still discussing the settlement.
Morin, he said, is “begging for cover” and the city is busy trying to cover its tracks.
Church-Dlugokenski is “emotionally distraught” about the demolition, said Keen.
No lawsuit has been filed over the demolition, said Keen, but one is pending.
Since the Fall Mountain Road house, Morin said Letourneau hasn’t done any other demolition for the city, but has done some boarding up work because, he said, “None of the other contractors were available.”
As the city’s building official, Morin signed Letourneau’s application to the state for a demolition license.
Letourneau told Morin and other contractors that he got the license, said Morin.
“I think he really believed he had a license,” said Morin. “I don’t know why it wasn’t granted.”
City has new procedures now
A month before hiring an unlicensed contractor to tear down a Fall Mountain home on an emergency basis, the city solicited bids from demolition companies interested in getting calls when the building office needed a structure torn down quickly.
The timing was unfortunate, though, because the bids were due on May 12, just after the city hired Dan Letourneau Builders to handle the Fall Mountain Road job.
By June, the City Council had chosen three city firms to handle the emergency work, turning down Letourneau’s bid along with a handful of others.
Purchasing Agent Roger Rousseau said the council established a one-year contract with the firms so that officials would call them on a case-by-case basis if a building had to come down unexpectedly.
He said officials opted to create the list, he said, because they knew that a vigorous new code enforcement effort might lead to a number of emergency demolitions. They wanted to be ready, he said.
The companies that were picked were checked to ensure they had the necessary licenses, Rousseau said.
Once the mistake with Letourneau Builders was recognized last summer, officials paid special attention to the issue.
“We took steps to ensure it won’t recur,” Mayor Art Ward said. By adding more checks and balances to the process, he said, there shouldn’t be any more mistakes.
This year, as the contract ended, the city decided to create a different policy.
Rousseau said that if the building official orders a building razed, the purchasing office will call companies in the business and get price quotes. Before accepting the lowest, he said, the contractor will be checked out to make sure it can do the job legally.
An emergency demolition would require the approval of the mayor and Board of Finance chairman, Rousseau said, as well as a report to the finance panel at its next meeting.
Rousseau said he’ll make sure everything’s done right.
“Everything has to be shown in accordance with all the appropriate qualifications,” Ward said.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
July 23, 2009
That house on Broad Street
Be sure to take a look at the photograph of the city-owned house on page 6 of today's Bristol Press. It's a little bungalow at 406 Broad St. -- right beside the bank near the corner with Emmett Street. (You can also see the photo by clicking here.)
Now the house itself is probably OK. I'll leave that to potential buyers.
But look at the weeds that are swallowing up its front yard. They're a couple of yards high. It's like Bristol has decided to create a bit of native prairie in the front yard of a house on one of its busier streets.
It's kind of funny listening to city leaders vowing to crack down on blight, promising to clean up Bristol, and then see this house, which the city has owned for a month, that clearly hasn't received one iota of attention since the city took possession of it in a foreclosure case.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Now the house itself is probably OK. I'll leave that to potential buyers.
But look at the weeds that are swallowing up its front yard. They're a couple of yards high. It's like Bristol has decided to create a bit of native prairie in the front yard of a house on one of its busier streets.
It's kind of funny listening to city leaders vowing to crack down on blight, promising to clean up Bristol, and then see this house, which the city has owned for a month, that clearly hasn't received one iota of attention since the city took possession of it in a foreclosure case.
If the house belonged to somebody else, the code enforcement committee would be all over it.
Somebody needs to go cut whatever's left of the grass. Chop down the weeds.*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
November 28, 2008
Grinch strikes Bristol Historical Society
When the Bristol Historical Society went to set up its annual Christmas tree sale today, it discovered that someone chopped the tops off all of its 100-odd trees, effectively destroying their value.
Bob Montgomery, the city historian, said he is hopping mad -- as he should be.
Anyone who can help identify the culprits should contact the police.
Let's see if the community can rally to show this Grinch-like behavior won't stop Christmas from coming, at least for the historical society. If you can lend a hand to this important organization, do.
Update on Saturday morning: Neighbor Bob Boudreau says there are many trees there that still have their tops. So don't hesitate to go check 'em out.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Bob Montgomery, the city historian, said he is hopping mad -- as he should be.
Anyone who can help identify the culprits should contact the police.
Let's see if the community can rally to show this Grinch-like behavior won't stop Christmas from coming, at least for the historical society. If you can lend a hand to this important organization, do.
Update on Saturday morning: Neighbor Bob Boudreau says there are many trees there that still have their tops. So don't hesitate to go check 'em out.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 29, 2008
New law would encourage owners to renovate blighted buildings
The city is pondering a new law that aims to help get blighted property renovated by offering owners as assessment freeze so that improvements don’t push up property taxes for five years.
“I’d like to get it on the books as soon as possible and get using it,” said Guy Morin, the city’s building official.
Dale Clift, the city attorney, said the proposed ordinance “would encourage people to purchase” buildings targeted by the city for code and blight problems and to fix them up.
“It gives the developer a break,” Clift said, that should encourage more people to overhaul decrepit housing.
Karen Pio, the president of the Greater Bristol Property Owners Association, said the proposal “can only help Bristol” because the city is not collecting taxes on structures when they are “in a blighted state or abandoned.”
“This is a great ordinance and it will help the city,” said Police Officer Tom Lavigne, a former city councilor who spends most of his time on code enforcement issues.
Lavigne said that that with recent changes in the city’s statutes, code enforcers can find problem properties and take action to crack down on them.
But, he said, the proposal to waive property taxes for five years “makes us come full circle” because it provides a carrot rather than just a stick for officials to use to try to make improvements.
Pio, who owns rental property, said the proposed law would give “more incentive to buy and fix” houses that need a substantial amount of renovation.
Clift said it may serve in many cases to put blighted buildings “back on the tax rolls” instead of sitting empty and racking up unpaid tax bills.
Morin said he hopes that if the City Council adopts the measure, it will help “avoid demolitions” of structures that might be saved if there was something to help owners repair them.
Passing the law, Morin said, would tell people “we want you to invest in our city.”
Officials said that qualifying for an assessment freeze will require property owners to make a substantial investment.
“Not just paint a little polish,” Morin said.
City Councilor Kevin McCauley said that officials have put a lot of work into the proposed statute.
“Obviously, the goal is to raise the bar,” Lavigne said, with the intent of improving the quality of life in town.
City Councilor Craig Minor said that the measure may help “to preserve affordable housing” for residents.
The Ordinance Committee is likely to approve the proposal in October, with city councilors probably enacting it the following month. It may be on the books by December.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
“I’d like to get it on the books as soon as possible and get using it,” said Guy Morin, the city’s building official.
Dale Clift, the city attorney, said the proposed ordinance “would encourage people to purchase” buildings targeted by the city for code and blight problems and to fix them up.
“It gives the developer a break,” Clift said, that should encourage more people to overhaul decrepit housing.
Karen Pio, the president of the Greater Bristol Property Owners Association, said the proposal “can only help Bristol” because the city is not collecting taxes on structures when they are “in a blighted state or abandoned.”
“This is a great ordinance and it will help the city,” said Police Officer Tom Lavigne, a former city councilor who spends most of his time on code enforcement issues.
Lavigne said that that with recent changes in the city’s statutes, code enforcers can find problem properties and take action to crack down on them.
But, he said, the proposal to waive property taxes for five years “makes us come full circle” because it provides a carrot rather than just a stick for officials to use to try to make improvements.
Pio, who owns rental property, said the proposed law would give “more incentive to buy and fix” houses that need a substantial amount of renovation.
Clift said it may serve in many cases to put blighted buildings “back on the tax rolls” instead of sitting empty and racking up unpaid tax bills.
Morin said he hopes that if the City Council adopts the measure, it will help “avoid demolitions” of structures that might be saved if there was something to help owners repair them.
Passing the law, Morin said, would tell people “we want you to invest in our city.”
Officials said that qualifying for an assessment freeze will require property owners to make a substantial investment.
“Not just paint a little polish,” Morin said.
City Councilor Kevin McCauley said that officials have put a lot of work into the proposed statute.
“Obviously, the goal is to raise the bar,” Lavigne said, with the intent of improving the quality of life in town.
City Councilor Craig Minor said that the measure may help “to preserve affordable housing” for residents.
The Ordinance Committee is likely to approve the proposal in October, with city councilors probably enacting it the following month. It may be on the books by December.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
July 10, 2008
Resident to City Hall: Take care of your property
Sheffield Lane resident Ed Lee told city councilors this week that "it pains me as a veteran and it embarasses me as a citizen" to see the rusty, unlit flagpole in front of Jennings School.
He also pointed out that a city-owned lot near the New Britain Water Company property near St. Gregory's has very tall grass growing.
"The city's not maintaining their own property," Lee said.
Mayor Art Ward said that with all the rain this year, crews have a hard time keeping up.
"It's totally green and totally growing," the mayor said.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
He also pointed out that a city-owned lot near the New Britain Water Company property near St. Gregory's has very tall grass growing.
"The city's not maintaining their own property," Lee said.
Mayor Art Ward said that with all the rain this year, crews have a hard time keeping up.
"It's totally green and totally growing," the mayor said.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
June 16, 2008
Colapietro says new law may help catch metal thieves
The vandalism of a Memorial Boulevard statue over the weekend was "disgusting," said state Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat who represents the 31st District.
Colapietro said a new measure pushed at the request of a Bristol detective should make it easier to nab those involved in stealing metal.
He said that thieves have snatched drain pipes off a Cheshire church, plaques off of graves and more.
"They're stealing anything that weighs anything," Colapietro said, even beer kegs, which are worth about $50 after they've been chopped up for the metal.
To combat the problem, the law that Colapietro championed requires scrap dealers to take pictures of the license plates of anyone bringing in metal to sell and to record what they brought.
"That makes it a lot easier to catch" those swiping the material, the senator said.
It should also slow the number of thefts, he said.
"If you can't sell it, there's no sense stealing it," Colapietro said.
Here's a press release that Colapietro issued about the new measure back on May 7:
State Senator Thomas A. Colapietro (D-Bristol), co-chair of the General Law Committee, today urged Governor M. Jodi Rell to sign legislation he has championed for the last two years that expands measured designed to curb the theft of metals like copper and aluminum. The bill, previously approved unanimously in the state Senate, received a 147-to-0 vote in the state House of Representatives this afternoon.
"This is a bill that expands on the strong steps we took last year to reduce the number of thefts of copper and other metals," said Senator Colapietro. "This is a good, common sense bill. I urge the governor to sign this legislation and join the legislature in its work to stop metal theft."
Senator Colapietro added, "I'd also like to thank Senator Donald DeFronzo of New Britain for supporting the effort to expand this."
The legislation requires scrap metal processors to record certain information for all loads of scrap metal purchased or received, including a description, the weight, the price paid for the load and the identification of the person who delivered the load.
It requires scrap metal processors, junk dealers or junkyard owners to immediately notify their municipal law enforcement of the name, if known, and motor vehicle license plate, if available, of any person offering to sell a bronze statue, plaque, historical marker, cannon, cannon ball, bell, lamp, lighting fixture, lamp post, architectural artifact or similar item.
It also prohibits scrap metal processors, junk dealers or junkyard owners from purchasing or receiving a stainless steel or aluminum alloy beer or other beverage keg container if the container is marked with an owner-identifying word, symbol or trademark.
A first violation of the new law will be considered a class C misdemeanor; second violation will be a class B misdemeanor. Third and subsequent violations will be class A misdemeanors. Additionally, the measure gives a scrap metal purchaser the right to file a civil action against an individual who sells them material that is subsequently determined to be stolen.
The measure-included in an amendment to Senate Bill 298-now moves to the governor for consideration.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Colapietro said a new measure pushed at the request of a Bristol detective should make it easier to nab those involved in stealing metal.
He said that thieves have snatched drain pipes off a Cheshire church, plaques off of graves and more.
"They're stealing anything that weighs anything," Colapietro said, even beer kegs, which are worth about $50 after they've been chopped up for the metal.
To combat the problem, the law that Colapietro championed requires scrap dealers to take pictures of the license plates of anyone bringing in metal to sell and to record what they brought.
"That makes it a lot easier to catch" those swiping the material, the senator said.
It should also slow the number of thefts, he said.
"If you can't sell it, there's no sense stealing it," Colapietro said.
Here's a press release that Colapietro issued about the new measure back on May 7:
State Senator Thomas A. Colapietro (D-Bristol), co-chair of the General Law Committee, today urged Governor M. Jodi Rell to sign legislation he has championed for the last two years that expands measured designed to curb the theft of metals like copper and aluminum. The bill, previously approved unanimously in the state Senate, received a 147-to-0 vote in the state House of Representatives this afternoon.
"This is a bill that expands on the strong steps we took last year to reduce the number of thefts of copper and other metals," said Senator Colapietro. "This is a good, common sense bill. I urge the governor to sign this legislation and join the legislature in its work to stop metal theft."
Senator Colapietro added, "I'd also like to thank Senator Donald DeFronzo of New Britain for supporting the effort to expand this."
The legislation requires scrap metal processors to record certain information for all loads of scrap metal purchased or received, including a description, the weight, the price paid for the load and the identification of the person who delivered the load.
It requires scrap metal processors, junk dealers or junkyard owners to immediately notify their municipal law enforcement of the name, if known, and motor vehicle license plate, if available, of any person offering to sell a bronze statue, plaque, historical marker, cannon, cannon ball, bell, lamp, lighting fixture, lamp post, architectural artifact or similar item.
It also prohibits scrap metal processors, junk dealers or junkyard owners from purchasing or receiving a stainless steel or aluminum alloy beer or other beverage keg container if the container is marked with an owner-identifying word, symbol or trademark.
A first violation of the new law will be considered a class C misdemeanor; second violation will be a class B misdemeanor. Third and subsequent violations will be class A misdemeanors. Additionally, the measure gives a scrap metal purchaser the right to file a civil action against an individual who sells them material that is subsequently determined to be stolen.
The measure-included in an amendment to Senate Bill 298-now moves to the governor for consideration.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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