Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Vacant Properties Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City solicitor reports drop in current vacant-property registrations, updates on Bangor Mall litigation and public records workload
Summary
Dave, the city solicitor, updated the Bangor City Council at its Feb. 20 workshop on the legal department’s work on vacant building registration, litigation at the Bangor Mall and increasing Freedom of Access Act requests.
Dave, the city solicitor, updated the Bangor City Council at its Feb. 20 workshop on the legal department’s work on vacant building registration, litigation at the Bangor Mall and increasing Freedom of Access Act requests.
The most immediate update concerned the city’s vacant building registry. “There are now 65 properties,” Dave said, adding that the number represented a net change since his last report: “the number of properties that are registered and current … has dropped. There are now 30.” He said the count of properties not registered rose from 15 to 35 because a group of six-month registrations recently lapsed and code renewal work is underway but penalties have not yet been issued.
Why it matters: the registration status affects the city’s ability to track and enforce maintenance and safety obligations for vacant structures. Dave said enforcement actions under Rule 88 (land-use enforcement in court) are forthcoming for properties with trash and junkyard problems.
On the Bangor Mall enforcement hearing, Dave said he spent the day in court. He reported “significant progress in abating violations, particularly … the stormwater structures,” but said the violations have not been fully abated and the proceeding was continued. He declined to discuss litigation details in open session and said the judge was considering whether to finish witness testimony by deposition.
Dave also flagged a rising volume and complexity of Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) requests handled by the legal department. “We are continuing in the legal department and the city to get more Freedom of Access Act requests and more complex Freedom of Access Act requests,” he said, and added that staff were working to keep up.
He briefly demonstrated a new frequently asked questions page the legal department published on the city website on Aug. 12. The FAQ, he said, covers topics including Freedom of Access requests, accessibility and accommodations, appeals and variances, and rights and responsibilities of residents.
Councilors did not take additional formal action on these updates during the workshop.
Ending: Dave invited questions and said more enforcement actions and court activity would be reported as appropriate in future meetings.
