The city’s budget received a boost recently with the arrival of a $27,975 check.
The money comes from the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), who took possession of a foreclosed house on Pleasant View Road. The property had fallen into serious disrepair — a fact that bothered many neighbors, who made their feelings known through a letter to the Board of Aldermen earlier this year.
The city began leveling fines of $100 a day against the property. As of early October, the property owed the city about $40,000.
However, Sean Sweeney, an attorney representing Fannie Mae, appeared in front of the Board of Aldermen in October and said his company wanted to make repairs to the property — but couldn’t because the vacant property was winding its way through the foreclosure process.
Sweeney said Fannie Mae took possession of the property June 10 and immediately started making changes — such as maintaining the lawn.
Seeing that improvements were already happening under the new owner, the Board of Aldermen voted to reduce the blight fine. The amount the city received represents 75 percent of the original fine.
Alderman Ken Hughes said the money will be deposited in the city’s general fund.
In January 2008, six months before the Pleasant View Road property was added to the blight list, Derby hired two part-time blight officers. They are each paid $12.50 and work 10 hours a week, according to the New Haven Register.
“When we started the program, we said it would pay for itself, and this shows that it can,” Hughes said.
Derby Building Inspector David Kopjanski said the fine was the largest received during Mayor Anthony Staffieri’s administration.
“It shows that the blight ordinance is being enforced,” Kopjanski said.
The property has a new owner, who is apparently intent on making further repairs to the property.
