Blighted property ordinance taking shape

The two members of the Springfield Ordinance Committee are putting the final touches to an ordinance proposal targeting so-called nuisance properties located within school zones.

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2016-01-07 / Front Page Blighted property ordinance taking shape By ALLAN STEIN allans@eagletimes.com SPRINGFIELD — The two members of the Springfield Ordinance Committee are putting the final touches to an ordinance proposal targeting so-called nuisance properties located within school zones. The committee hopes to present a final draft proposal for review and approval by the selectboard on Jan. 25. On Tuesday, selectboard and Ordinance Committee members George McNaughton and Walter Martone hashed out language in the ordinance with input from Town Manager Tom Yennerell and Town Counsel Stephen Ankuda. The proposed ordinance seeks to determine and prohibit property and certain other public nuisances within 500 feet of a school or licensed daycare center in Springfield. "I kind of like just going after the nuisance concept," said McNaughton. "I would like to see us go with a community nuisance ordinance." An unofficial draft ordinance declares that the "quality and character of the areas which are proximate to public schools are of especial concern to the Springfield community for a variety of reasons." The draft ordinance states that such areas are frequented by minors and vulnerable children. They are also frequently surveyed by people "interested in investing in the community, or becoming a resident of the community." In addition, the proposed ordinance said that state and federal governments have "found it to be in the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare to prohibit certain persons who have been found guilty of certain crimes from residing in or near such areas, and enhance certain penalties for drug activity in school zones." "We do have a ton of day cares. I think it's that group that we are concerned about," said McNaughton. Ordinance Committee members discussed crafting an ordinance that prohibits nuisance activity within 1,000 feet of a school zone or licensed day care facility. They decided, however, that it might be more difficult to win public support for the increased radius. Ankuda said that a radius of 500 feet might be "more enforceable." Approval of the ordinance would mean that no owner or occupant of land within a school zone within the town would be allowed to "cause, allow or suffer any structure" that has become "blighted or dilapidated and/or ill-maintained or ill-repaired to such an extent that it causes property within a school zone to be adversely affected as to value, encourages misbehavior of adults or children, or would cause hesitation of a reasonable person to be a pedestrian in such an area." Such property would be defined by the presence of broken or boarded windows, graffiti, or the use of plywood or particle board as an exterior veneer not in keeping with the building's original appearance. The definition would include the failure to mow lawns and clear property of noxious weeds which "has an adverse effect on surrounding property values."