NEW MILFORD, CT — The New Milford Blight Prevention Board voted unanimously Aug. 20 to send a letter to the owner of a Birch Road property after reviewing photographs showing debris at the site, while separately removing a Danbury Road property from its list of blight cases.
The board also reviewed ongoing enforcement matters at more than a dozen properties, including cases involving citations, foreclosure proceedings and cleanup efforts, and added complaints concerning properties on Dons Terrace and Valley View Lane.
At 5 Birch Road, board members reviewed photographs showing debris on the property. Mayor Pete Bass moved to send a letter to the property owner, and Land Use Supervisor and Zoning Enforcement Officer Laura Regan seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
The board also voted unanimously to remove 456 Danbury Road from its agenda after Fire Marshal Kevin Reynolds visited the property and reported that he did not observe much activity at the site. Reynolds made the motion, which was seconded by Amy Bethge, director of the Housatonic Valley Health District.
The board received an update on its ongoing blight action at 24 Gaylord Road, where a notice of violation and citations have been issued.
Attorney Joseph Mortelliti said citations issued to the owner continue to accrue fees. He said the property owner has an ongoing eviction case involving the tenant and has served a writ through a state marshal. Mortelliti said the next step would be for the marshal to appear at the property and begin the eviction, including removal of vehicles and the tenant's property.
During public comment, Celeste Bellemare of Newton Road said vehicles remained at the property. Suzanne Bellemare, also of Newton Road, asked why blight remediation was being tied to the ongoing eviction process.
At 8 Ridge Road, Mortelliti reported "considerable cleanup" following a site visit with town officials. Some accessory structures had been removed, the occupants had relocated and trailers that had been on the property were gone, according to the minutes. Mortelliti said he remained in contact with an attorney representing the property owner.
The board also discussed 173 Pumpkin Hill Road, where a notice of violation and citation had been issued.
Property owner Claude Pierre told the board that he had not received earlier letters until the most recent correspondence was sent to his New York address. Pierre said he and his wife had purchased the property and were in the process of buying a second parcel from the same seller.
Pierre said the second parcel was being used as a dumping ground by the current owner. He also told the board that the property had previously been vandalized by minors. Bass asked Mortelliti to contact the owner of the second parcel about blight there, while police Sgt. Vincenzo Parziale offered to speak with Pierre about securing his property and reporting future trespassing.
At 285 Wellsville Ave., Mortelliti said his office was drafting a multi-count complaint related to the property.
Randi Lynch raised concerns about neighboring 246 Wellsville Ave., including the condition of a fence and existing structures. Reynolds said he had met with the property owner and reported there were no occupants in a shed structure, which was being used for storage and growing plants.
According to Parziale, an officer also visited the property and reported no concerns involving occupants. Bass asked Regan and a Building Department representative to visit the site to determine compliance with zoning and building regulations.
At 4 Skyview Drive, Mortelliti said a notice had been sent to the owners concerning conditions at the property. He said the owners disputed the assessment, while neighbors had complained about vermin and animals. Bass asked Mortelliti to contact the owners in an effort to find a solution addressing both their intentions for the property and neighbors' concerns.
Other cases included 32 Main St., which remained in foreclosure litigation, and 69 Prospect Hill Road, where photographs showed cleanup work by the Public Works Department.
Officials reported no changes at 255 Danbury Road, 35 Town Farm Road or 691 Kent Road. Some progress had been made at 73 Railroad Street, but debris remained, according to Bass and Reynolds.
Under new business, the board reviewed a complaint concerning 17 Dons Terrace involving heavy-equipment storage, debris and an overgrown yard. Reynolds said he could visit the property.
A complaint concerning 73 Valley View Lane cited junk and equipment in the yard, a boat and food waste on the property. Bass asked that someone from the Housatonic Valley Health District visit the site.
Bass also reported that he continued to work with the town's IT department on development of a New Milford blight webpage.
The board unanimously approved its July 16 meeting minutes and unanimously voted to adjourn at 2:51 p.m. The meeting began at 2 p.m. at New Milford Town Hall.
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