[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Vernon 5-12-2014 by L.L. No. 2-2014. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire prevention and building construction — See Ch. 64.
Unsafe buildings pose a threat to the life and property in the
Town of Vernon. Buildings and structures may become unsafe by reason
of damage by fire, the elements, age or general deterioration. Vacant
buildings not properly secured at the doorways and windows also serve
as an attractive nuisance for young children who may be injured therein,
as well as points of congregation by vagrants and transients. A dilapidated
building may also serve as a place of rodent infestation, thereby
creating a health menace to the community. It is the purpose of this
chapter to provide for the safety, health, protection and general
welfare of persons and property in the Town of Vernon by requiring
such unsafe buildings be repaired or secured.
This chapter shall be known as the "Unsafe Buildings Law" of
the Town of Vernon.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any building, structure or portion thereof used for residential
purposes.
The Building Inspector of the Town of Vernon or such other
person appointed by the Town Board to enforce the provisions of this
chapter.
The Building Inspector, when, in his own opinion or upon receipt
of information that a building is unsafe because it is or may become
dangerous or unsafe to the general public, it is open at the doorways
and windows, making it accessible to and an attraction to minors as
well as to vagrants and other trespassers, it is or may become a place
of rodent infestation, it presents any other danger to health, safety,
morals and general welfare to the public, or it is unfit for the purposes
for which it may lawfully be used, shall cause or make an inspection
thereof and report, in writing, to the Town Board his findings and
recommendations in regard to its repair or proper method to secure.
The Town Board shall thereafter consider such report and by resolution determine if, in its opinion, the report so warrants that such building is unsafe as it meets one of the five criteria listed in § 45-4. In the event the Town Board shall find a building unsafe, it shall notify the owner of that determination, in writing, in the same manner as is required for the service of a summons under CPLR Article 3.
In the event the Town Board finds by written resolution that
a building is unsafe, it may direct the Town Highway Department to
secure the building by boarding the windows, doors, or other accessways.
The costs incurred by the Town to carry out the work described in § 45-6 above, if not paid by or on behalf of the owner within 30 days of notice, shall be added to and collected with the subsequent Town property tax levy, and shall bear interest and be enforced as provided by law for other Town taxes.
