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Senate panel hears S.192 to expand municipal power to compel cleanup of vacant, blighted properties
Summary
The Senate Committee on Government Operations heard S.192, modeled on the Springfield Charter, to give towns broader authority to compel cleaning or repair of vacant or blighted premises, including recovery of costs as liens. Members raised takings, definitional, and equity concerns and requested testimony from Springfield and municipal groups.
Senate members examined S.192, a bill to let municipal corporations adopt ordinances compelling the cleaning or repair of premises a legislative body determines to be vacant, blighted or damaging to the general appearance of the municipality.
Legislative counsel Tucker Anderson told the committee the proposal mirrors authority already in some municipal charters but expands the scope by delegating to towns the power to set health-and-safety standards and enforce cleaning and repair obligations. Anderson warned the language raises property-law and constitutional issues, saying the bill “draws on the police powers delegated in Title 24” and that courts’ takings…
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