For the purposes of this chapter, the following words, terms
and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:
BLIGHTED PROPERTY
Any building, structure or parcel of land, including single-family
or multifamily residential, commercial or industrial, whether occupied
or vacant, in which at least one of the following conditions exists:
A.
The condition of the building, structure or parcel of land constitutes
an unsafe structure and poses a serious or immediate danger to the
safety, health or general welfare of the community as certified by
the Building Official or Fire Marshal.
B.
It is not being adequately maintained, as determined by the
following factors: missing or boarded windows or doors; collapsing
or missing walls, roof or floors; seriously damaged or missing siding
or the building is otherwise dilapidated; a structurally faulty foundation;
physical hazards, rodent harborage and infestation, improper storage
of garbage, trash, rubbish, grocery carts, tires, hubcaps; contains
abandoned motor vehicles in violation of the Town of Putnam Abandoned
Vehicle Ordinance, or is a structure which has suffered damage due to fire,
natural disaster or otherwise, which damage would require substantial
repair if such substantial repair is not commenced within 60 days
of the incident causing the damages or if such repairs, once commenced,
are substantially abandoned for a continuous period of 30 days.
C.
It is adjacent to a sidewalk, for which the property's
owner, agent, tenant or responsible person is responsible to maintain
in a safe condition for the use of the public or if the sidewalk is
in violation of any ordinance in the Town of Putnam or the Putnam
Special Services District regarding maintenance of sidewalks, and
its sidewalk is in any way obstructed by or littered with any substance,
including trees, bushes, overgrowth, leaves, gravel, dirt, rubbish,
garbage, bulky waste or trash which would in any way impede or imperil
public travel upon said sidewalk or render it unsafe or unsightly.
D.
It attracts or harbors vectors, rodents, insects, vermin and
disease-carrying animals.
E.
It is dilapidated. Any building or structure or part thereof
that would not qualify for occupancy or which is an unsafe structure,
and any dwelling unit or units which are unfit or unsafe for human
habitation or are unsafe for persons walking around them or nearby
them.
F.
It is a property occupied by a structure intended for human
occupancy in which grass, weed or brush is allowed to reach and maintain
a height of 18 inches or greater and which situation continues for
20 days or longer. Property maintained in its natural state, gardens,
ornamental plantings and property subject to conservation easement
shall be exempt from this provision.
G.
It is a property occupied by a structure intended for human
occupancy which contains two or more dead, decayed, diseased or damaged
trees which constitute a hazard or danger to adjacent premises, the
occupants of the subject premises or adjoining public property, including
sidewalks and roadways.
CITATION ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
The citation enforcement officers are any police officer
of the Putnam Special Services District or any state police officer
exercising his jurisdiction outside the Putnam Special Services District
and within the Town of Putnam, the Building Official of the Town of
Putnam and his or her assistant, the Zoning Enforcement Officer of
the Town of Putnam and his or her assistant, the Fire Marshal of the
Town of Putnam and his or her deputy, and when special circumstances
require, any other person designated by the Mayor as a citation enforcement
officer.
CITATION HEARING OFFICER
The Mayor of Putnam shall appoint one or more citation hearing
officers, other than police officers or Town employees or persons
authorized to issue citations, to conduct hearings authorized by C.G.S.
§ 7-152c. The Town shall institute a citation hearing procedure
pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-152c and act in accordance with the
procedures set forth therein. Hearing officers are authorized to issue
assessments regarding blight citations in accordance with C.G.S. § 7-152c.
EXEMPT PROPERTY
Any building or structure undergoing remodeling being diligently
conducted and pursued under an active building permit would only be
exempt during such remodeling period.
No person, firm or corporation, no owner, agent, tenant, operator, possessor of real property, and no other person responsible for the care, maintenance and/or condition of real property shall cause or allow any blighted property, as defined in §
172-2, to be created, maintained or continued.
If a person fails to correct a violation after notice of violation is provided pursuant to §
172-4, the citation enforcement officer may issue a notice by mail to the person's last known address on file with the tax collector stating the allegations regarding the violation of this chapter and the amount of a fine of $100 per day. The notice shall provide a date by which an uncontested payment of the fines can be made to the Town. Payment of such fine, penalties and costs shall be made to the Office of the Mayor. An uncontested payment shall be inadmissible in any proceeding, civil or criminal, to establish the conduct of such person or other persons making the payment.
The following ordinances shall be enforceable by citation pursuant
to the provisions of C.G.S. § 7-148, in addition to any
other penalties contained in the respective ordinances and the respective
amounts specified as fine or penalty pursuant to the procedures set
forth in this chapter:
A. The Town of Putnam Sidewalk Ordinance Governing Snow Removal and
Sidewalk Maintenance.
B. The Town of Putnam Property Identification Ordinance.
After judgment is entered by the Superior Court imposing an assessment in accordance with §
172-6 of this chapter, the unpaid assessment constitutes a lien upon the real estate in accordance with C.G.S. § 7-148aa, and each such lien shall be recorded, continued and released as provided for therein.
This chapter is intended to provide an additional enforcement
mechanism to the appropriate municipal officials of the Town of Putnam.
The provisions of this chapter are in addition to and not in derogation
of or serving as a restriction upon any other available remedy to
the Town or any municipal official, including, but not limited to,
judicial proceedings seeking injunctive or punitive relief.