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Rising Sun staff show mold and hoarding cases, say code enforcement is ramping up
Summary
Town staff presented photos and video of rental properties with mold, water damage, pest infestation and hoarding; administrators said they are ordering remediation, pursuing court action when necessary and will refine the property maintenance code to address mold and related hazards.
Town staff used photos and video at the April 26 meeting to highlight several rental units in poor condition, describing mold, water damage, pest infestations and hoarding situations that, staff said, posed health and safety risks.
Town Administrator told the board the town has managed multiple cases in recent months, including subsidized housing where residents—some elderly or medically vulnerable—were living among mold and deterioration. He said the town requires third-party air-sampling and remediation by landlords in affected units, and that staff have pursued court action in multiple cases and coordinated with legal-aid partners to support tenants. In one unit a medic slipped while entering because of the condition, the administrator said, underscoring worker and resident safety concerns.
Administrator said the town’s property maintenance code contains a general prohibition on mold but that staff plan to refine the code language to give clearer enforcement authority and procedures. He described measures the town has taken in specific instances: ordering demolition of contaminated drywall, requiring pest control for neighboring units, securing landlord cooperation to clean and remediate properties, and using photos/videos as evidence in court filings. The administrator said the town offers payment plans on water bills and tries to help vulnerable residents rather than immediately pursuing shutoffs.
Police Chief and assistant town staff supported the report; the chief provided a two-week blotter summary (about 210 calls for service) and noted no single trend but confirmed the department’s involvement in property response operations.
No vote was taken; the board thanked staff for the updates and staff said they would continue enforcement actions and return with any proposed code amendments.
