Selectboard passes nuisance ordinance

Monday night the Springfield Selectboard unanimously passed a nuisance ordinance that will require property owners within 500 feet of schools — public or private — and licensed day care centers to maintain their property to elevate the attractiveness of the town to potential new residents and business owners.

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2016-03-30 / Selectboard passes nuisance ordinance By Nancy A. Cavanaugh ncavanaugh@eagletimes.com SPRINGFIELD — Monday night the Springfield Selectboard unanimously passed a nuisance ordinance that will require property owners within 500 feet of schools — public or private — and licensed day care centers to maintain their property to elevate the attractiveness of the town to potential new residents and business owners. More than a half dozen residents spoke during the public hearing. The original public hearing on second reading for the ordinance held on March 7 led to a number of changes being made, including limiting the zone to five hundred feet and adding a section to the penalties and enforcement portion that allows for the town to “have compassion for residents,” according to selectboard member Walter Martone. Residents were concerned about the cost of enforcement and potential litigation. “There is some money set aside for an enforcement officer,” said Selectboard Chair Kristi Morris. “$5,000 has been appropriated.” Morris also mentioned the $100,000 the voters approved in 2015 for dealing with dilapidated buildings in the town. Of that, only $5,000 has been spent in litigation for the dozen properties that were identified by the selectboard to be addressed, according to Town Manager Tom Yennerell. Residents were also concerned with the potential for discrimination suits against the town due to such a narrow focus, and wanted to know why the ordinance specified the areas around schools and daycare centers. “We are going to have to agree to disagree about the discrimination,” said selectboard member George McNaughton. “We are discriminating against blighted homes. I know of no protected categories for blighted property. “Let’s start with the critical areas. It is hard for me to see that [schools and daycare centers] are not the most critical area,” he continued. “I believe the community thinks the areas around schools are critical.” Springfield resident Richard Andrews was in favor of the ordinance. “If you go by Union Street School, the condition of the house is very influential to newcomers. If people don’t care, the newcomers will go elsewhere,” he said. “Attracting families with kids is the faster way to lower our tax rates.” There was also concern that the ordinance would hit those who were the least likely to be able to afford the upkeep on the exterior of their building. “I have grave concern that in the attempt to fix up our community, we’re going to discriminate against people who are low income,” said Steve Geller, executive director of Southeastern Vermont Community Action. “They’re barely able to pay their mortgage. They’re not going to be able to pay for maintenance. For some, it is the only place they can afford to live.” “Things are happening. There’s a group that is trying to cobble together resources to help folks who truly cannot afford it,” said Martone. The ordinance will go into effect 60 days after publishing. Those who would like to appeal the ordinance can do so within 45 days with a petition of five percent of the population, which equates to 300 signatures, at which point it would go to the whole town for a vote.