To prevent the unhealthful, hazardous or dangerous conditions due to accumulations of brush, grass, weeds or other like vegetative matter, all premises and immediate exterior property shall be maintained free from any brush, grass, weed or plant growth in excess of 10 inches (254 millimeters), on the average, or any accumulation of dead weeds, grass or brush. This article shall not apply to cultivated flowers and gardens.
A. 
Complaints alleging a violation of this article shall be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer, in writing, on a form provided by said Code Enforcement Officer, and shall include the following information in order to constitute a bona fide complaint mandating review:
(1) 
The full name, address and telephone number of the complainant;
(2) 
A description of the alleged violation;
(3) 
The date and time of the alleged violation; and
(4) 
The address and Tax Map number of the property in alleged violation.
B. 
Complaints shall be reviewed and investigated by the Code Enforcement Officer or his duly authorized representative for a determination of the validity of the complaint. Such Code Enforcement Officer or duly authorized representative shall thereafter indicate on the aforementioned complaint form the corrective action required.
C. 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall examine or cause to be examined every property legitimately reported as unhealthful, hazardous or dangerous due to accumulations of brush, grass, weeds or other like vegetative matter, and a written record of such examination, if any, shall be established and maintained.
Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer shall find any accumulation of brush, grass, weeds or other like vegetative matter in excess of 10 inches (254 millimeters), said Code Enforcement Officer shall give notice of such alleged violation to the owner, its agent or the person or persons responsible therefor as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall be in writing, include a statement of the reasons why it is being issued, and be served upon the owner or occupant of the premises or the agent of either of them. Notice shall be deemed to be properly served if a copy thereof is served upon the owner or occupant personally or is sent by certified or registered mail to the last known address of the owner, as listed and maintained in the tax records of the Town, or is posted in a conspicuous place in or about the premises affected by the notice. Such notice shall also state that unless within five days from service of the notice a written request from the owner or its agent is made for a hearing before the Code Enforcement Officer, said notice shall, at the expiration of such five-day period, be deemed an order to cease and desist from and to abate the described violation, and such notice shall prescribe a reasonable time within which such owner or agent shall be required to cease and desist from and abate such violation. The notice may also contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this article.
A. 
If a hearing is requested, it shall be commenced not later than 10 days after a request therefor is made, provided that for good cause the Code Enforcement Officer may postpone such hearing for a reasonable time. If, after a hearing, the Code Enforcement Officer finds that no violation exists, the Code Enforcement Officer shall withdraw the notice. If, after a hearing, the Code Enforcement Officer finds that a violation does exist, the Code Enforcement Officer shall enter and issue an order requiring the abatement of same within a prescribed, reasonable time. The proceedings at such hearing, including the findings and decision of the Code Enforcement Officer, shall be summarized, reduced to writing and entered as a matter of public record in the office of the Code Enforcement Officer.
B. 
Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer finds that an emergency exists which requires immediate attention to protect the public health or safety, said Code Enforcement Officer may, without notice or hearing, issue an order to the owner or occupant or the agent of either of them reciting the existence of such an emergency and requiring that such action be taken as said Code Enforcement Officer deems necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, such order shall be effective immediately. Any person to whom such order is directed shall comply therewith immediately, but, upon written petition to the Code Enforcement Officer, shall be afforded a hearing as soon as practicable. After such hearing, the Code Enforcement Officer shall continue such order in effect or modify or withdraw it.
A. 
Upon the failure, neglect or refusal of any owner or agent so notified to properly comply with this chapter within the time period prescribed by notice served under § 80-14 herein, the Town shall be authorized and empowered to undertake the correction of such violation.
B. 
When the Town has effected the correction of the violation or has paid for its removal, the actual cost thereof, plus the accrued legal rate of interest per annum from the date of the completion of the work, shall be charged to the owner of such property.
C. 
Where the full amount due the Town is not paid by such owner within 20 days after the correction of such violation, then the Code Enforcement Officer shall cause to be filed in the office of the Town Clerk a sworn statement showing the cost and expense incurred for the work, the date the work was done, the Tax Map number and location of the property on which said work was done, and the name of the reputed owner thereof. The filing of such sworn statement shall constitute a lien and privilege on the property and shall remain in full force and effect for the amount due in principal and interest, plus the cost of court, if any, for collection, until final payment has been made. Said costs and expenses shall be collected in the manner fixed by law for the collection of taxes and, further, shall be subject to a delinquent penalty at the legal rate of interest in the event that same is not paid in full on or before the date the tax bill upon which such charge appears becomes delinquent. Sworn statements filed in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be prima facie evidence that all legal formalities have been complied with and the work has been properly and successfully done and shall be full notice to every person concerned that the amount of the statement, plus interest, constitutes a charge against the property designated and described in the statement and that the same is due and collectible as provided by law.