Springfield looks to expand nuisance regulations

The Springfield Selectboard adopted nuisance ordinances about a year ago. Since then, code enforcement officer Paul Stagner has received approximately 60 calls about buildings that are dilapidated, vacant or in apparent violation of the ordinances.


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Springfield looks to expand nuisance regulations By KATY SAVAGE ksavage@eagletimes.com 25 min ago 0 SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The town is seeking to expand its nuisance ordinances. The Springfield Selectboard adopted nuisance ordinances about a year ago. Since then, code enforcement officer Paul Stagner has received approximately 60 calls about buildings that are dilapidated, vacant or in apparent violation of the ordinances. "The calls now are coming back in,” Stagner said, as the snow starts to melt. “We’re back in prime season.” One of Springfield’s ordinances creates rules for vacant buildings and the other ordinance pertains to buildings located near schools and licensed childcare facilities. The selectboard wants to expand the nuisance ordinances to include both licensed and registered childcare facilities. The board is scheduled to discuss that April 23 and will hold a public hearing before adopting the ordinance. The panel may also consider adopting a noise ordinance. “People have come to us with various complaints about things,” said Selectboard member Walter Matrone. The Selectboard has heard complaints about dogs barking and farm animals making noises. “There have been complaints about continuous and persistent roosters crowing,” said Matrone. Matrone said the board also heard about pig noises a couple months ago. “I’m not sure if we’re going to need to do anything,” he said. Town Manager Tom Yennerell said people have complained that vacant property was impacting adjacent property values. “The community was complaining a lot in various areas,” he said. “We were getting complaints about being really neglecting their properties.” Yennerell said the Selectboard worked for several months to determine ordinances that would address those issues. Stagner has written about seven fines in the amounts of about $1,000 since the ordinances went into effect. He even issued a notice to town-owned property. The ordinances currently say in part that broken windows must be repaired within 14 days, no owner or occupant of land within 500 feet of a school or licensed day care zone can allow a building to become dilapidated or ill-maintained. The owner of a property can’t store trash or junk on porches or decks visible from the street if they are near a school or childcare center. The ordinances also say buildings that have been vacant more than 60 days have to be weather-tight with sound roofs and free of rubbish. Stagner can issue tickets up to $500 for each violation 15-30 days after a written notice. Stagner said most come into compliance after the written notification. “We’re not looking for fines or money,” said Yennerell. “We’re looking for compliance.”