The board discussed complaints that board members and staff have been receiving relating to numerous poorly kept properties, specifically uncut weeds and branches. For several years, the town has not gone through the process of notifying property owners and threatening enforcement actions, according to Town Manager Scott Meszaros. He said that this has led to less-vigilant efforts to keep properties looking good. Direction was provided to Meszaros by the board to step up the existing enforcement procedures, including issuing notices and following town procedures to improve the overall appearance of properties and the town.
Owners of property within town limits, including vacant lots and parcels, are required to cut and remove the weeds exceeding six inches, including areas in the public right-of-way adjacent to their homes and businesses.
A written notice will be served upon the owner or agent if properties are not mowed and cleaned up between June 10 and 20 and between Aug. 1 and 10. Failure to cut weeds and remove debris and limbs may result in the owner being required to appear in Municipal Court, or the town is authorized by any means at the town’s disposal to cut the weeds, remove limbs and rubbish and bill the property owner, to include assessing a tax lien against such property owners who fail to pay.
Meszaros said that town crews are extremely busy with infrastructure improvements such as the Curtis Creek project, including inspections, building a roadway to the future water tank and doing maintenance projects such as fence construction, street striping, weed spraying, mowing operations and preparations for July 4 activities.
The town is not providing limb chipping due to the limited availability of staff, and many property owners continue to create piles of limbs that the town is not providing services to remove, he said.
He said he hopes area residents and property owners will take the initiative to make their properties look presentable and that having to cite persons to court or abate the properties and assess liens is not something that becomes a necessity.
Meszaros noted that Meeker is a community that takes a lot of pride in its appearance and that the above-normal snowfall and wet spring have contributed to much of the vegetation growth and the current status of many properties.
