A two-year-old “anti-blight” law has led to anonymous, false reports of blight in town, residents told a committee Tuesday.
Nearly 20 residents were at Town Hall to air their concerns with the law, which was intended to protect neighborhoods and prevent dilapidated properties.
However, residents said the anonymous complaint system has led to false reports. In addition, residents said the town needs a clearer definition of what constitutes blight.
First Selectman Robert Koskelowski is aware of the problem with the law — read our previous story here — and said Tuesday the town only wants to go after “serious” violations of the blight law.
Sean Walsh of Pearl Street advocated for rule changes.
Walsh said he was issued a blight violation on the word of someone who lives on another side of town.
That, he said, can make for bad relations between neighbors.
“The ordinance has done little more than cause animosity between neighbors,” Walsh said.
Koskelowski said rule changes will likely require complainants to address their complaints in writing at Town Hall by name instead of anonymously through phone calls.
Officials will also consider making it so that blights are considered what is seen from the street instead of anywhere on a property.
Koskelowski said the town has only collected $300 since the blight rules were put into effect.
“We are not out to collect money,” he said.
Although some of the meeting’s attendees complained about the rules, Koskelowski said they were always intended to help the town and keep it looking good.
“This was our first shot at it,” Koskelowski said. “The better the document we have, the better the town is.”
Tweaks to the ordinance, including a lessening of the $100-a-day fine, will probably not get approved until October.
The ordinance committee, with Koskelowski and selectmen John Putorti and Paul F. Roy, will meet again at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11 to continue reviewing changes.
Koskelowski does not expect a public hearing until next month.
