Ronan police to begin upkeep ordinance enforcement
Linda Sappington
Because Ronan Police have been getting complaints about unkept yards, property owners are being asked to come into compliance before being fined.
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RONAN – The Ronan Police Department is taking spring cleaning to a whole new level by upping its enforcement of the Community Upkeep ordinances that apply within the city’s boundaries.
Police Chief Ken Weaver said he has been getting a number of complaints about untidiness that is in violation of Ordinance 2014-01 which defines rubble, junk, vegetation, refuse and debris in people’s yards as public nuisance if the eyesores creates a public safety, fire hazard, or obstructs free use of the property.
“Some of the complaints we are receiving are about abandoned vehicle shells — vehicles that don’t even have engines in them — and are sitting in front of residences,” Weaver said. “Also, commercial vehicles stored in residential districts, having garbage, debris sofas, sitting in the yards … motorhomes parked in front of their homes that look like they haven’t been moved in months or years.”
Weaver has also gotten complaints about abandoned, unsecured homes, very overgrown yards that create a fire hazard and yards with trees that are falling down on homes.
“It’s coming from the community, so we are going to have to take a look and see what we can do,” Weaver said. “We prefer to have voluntary compliance.”
Weaver said he and Public Works Director Dan Miller want to help people come into compliance.
“The city is willing to work with property owners on a reasonable plan of compliance that includes a commencement and completion date for the violations,” Weaver said in a press release.
The first step in getting the people into compliance is sending the property owners a letter, Weaver said. City workers were expected to begin sending those out this week. If voluntary compliance is not achieved, people can be charged restitution plus a $50 fine for the first occurrence, $100 fine for the second occurrence, and $500 fine for subsequent offenses.
Actions prohibited in the ordinance:
— Unkempt lawns with grass that exceeds 18 inches. Weeds must be controlled so that a fire hazard is not created. Grass clippings must be properly disposed of.
— Fences and buildings that are deteriorating to a point where they are unsafe.
— Accumulated waste, organic or inorganic, including junked vehicles and trailers.
Copies of the ordinance are available at city hall on Main Street in Ronan.
