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Aldermen refer Combination Pond signage, blight concerns to Community and Economic Development; mayor updates on nuisance ordinance
Summary
Residents pressed the board about long-standing loitering and a blighted property near Combination Pond; aldermen voted to refer signage and broader blight discussion to the Community and Economic Development committee while the mayor said a draft nuisance ordinance and policy are near completion to give enforcement tools.
Residents at the July 7 Board of Aldermen meeting urged the city to address a continuing loitering problem and a blighted house at 1 Irving Heights near Combination Pond. The board voted to refer the matter of signage and a review of blighted properties to the Community and Economic Development committee.
Resident Liz DeMarco Wyman described ongoing late-night loitering and vehicles shining high beams on nearby homes, and she said the property across from Combination Pond remains unmaintained. She said her husband has pursued a “no loitering” sign with city staff for months. After discussion, Alderman McClure moved — and the board approved — referral to Community and Economic Development to coordinate review and potential signage placement.
Mayor Dunjes said the building department is actively working on condemned and deteriorating property issues and that a draft nuisance ordinance and nuisance policy are near completion; he told aldermen he would schedule the related committee meeting sooner rather than later and promised to share draft ordinance language with the board.
Why it matters: residents described safety and quality-of-life impacts from persistent late-night loitering, parked vehicles and high beams near residential property and the public pond. Aldermen emphasized coordination among the recreation department, DPW, public safety and community development staff to place signage and use existing tools.
Clarifying detail from staff: the Recreation Department and DPW staff said signs must include specific language — examples given at the meeting included “no loitering on foot” and “no parked cars/high beams on homes” — and that production and installation are pending coordination with the appropriate city department. The board instructed staff to improve communication between the complainant and the department handling the signs.
Ending: The board’s referral places signage and blight discussion into the Community and Economic Development committee, where staff and aldermen expect to evaluate enforcement options, draft ordinance language and coordinate any signage installation.
