Rental registry one step closer to final adoption

A small group of Springfield’s landlords raised dozens of questions Monday night about the town’s proposed rental registry ordinance, but in the end, all but two of the landlords said they supported it.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20140129/NEWS02/701299913

Built in 1920, The Allenson Apartments building in Springfield is just one of the many apartment buildings and apartment complexes that would be included in the rental registry if a proposed local ordinance is passed. Photo: PHOTO BY LEN EMERYPublished January 29, 2014 in the Rutland Herald Rental registry one step closer to final adoption By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — A small group of Springfield’s landlords raised dozens of questions Monday night about the town’s proposed rental registry ordinance, but in the end, all but two of the landlords said they supported it. That included Springfield Fire Chief Russell Thompson, too. The revised ordinance — a shadow of its former self after the original ordinance was rejected in August after a petitioned special town meeting — requires any property owner who rents a room, apartment or house to register with the town. There are no town inspections, which was the main stumbling point to the original ordinance. Thompson had pushed for the original ordinance as a way of getting the names of the many absentee landlords in town, a problem that still persists. Thompson, who is also the town’s health officer, told landlords Monday night that there were still irresponsible landlords in town — ordinance or no ordinance. Thompson said he was currently working on a case involving a landlord who lived outside the country trying to and resolve a health and safety complaint. The fire chief said that in recent months he had worked closely with state officials to close some unsafe living situations that put the lives of little children at risk. “There are some terrible ones that put small children in peril,” Thompson said. He said the rental registry would be electronically portable so that police and fire dispatchers would have access to the list during emergency situations such as a fire. Some landlords balked at filing annual reports, saying they shouldn’t have to if nothing had changed. But something always changes, said Thompson. The registry, in addition to the name and address of the landlord, as well as the property, asks for a local contact. Bill Morlock, the executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority — which manages more property than any other local landlord — said the Authority supported the new ordinance. He had opposed the ordinance that was ultimately defeated. In the end, after more than 2½ hours of sometimes heated discussion, Selectman David Yesman, himself a landlord, polled the landlords who were present. About 10 raised their hands in support of the ordinance, while two, Chris Coughlin and Bill Hanley, said they remained opposed. The ordinance was approved on a 5-0 vote. Afterwards, Select Board Chairman Kristi Morris said he supported the ordinance but felt the $100-a-day penalty for not registering was unfair. But Town Attorney Stephen Ankuda, who wrote much of the ordinance, said without a penalty there would be no compliance. The ordinance will undergo minor language changes and come up for another hearing on Feb. 24. After that, the ordinance goes into effect in 60 days. However, the ordinance itself sets a deadline of October 2014 for landlords to register. Town Manager Robert Forguites said the town would likely publish the ordinance in its entirety in the Springfield Reporter newspaper once it is approved. Notice of the new ordinance will be made via the 2014-2015 tax bills that go out in July.