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Scotland selectmen pause blight ordinance changes and back invasive-plant event after resident raises wildlife-damage question
Summary
The board removed wording about trees and plants from a draft blight ordinance and delayed further action after a resident asked how the town would address vegetation damaged by wildlife; the board also supported a Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group event and volunteer 'walk and cut.'
The Scotland Board of Selectmen agreed July 23 to remove a provision about trees, shrubs, hedges, grass and plants from a draft blight ordinance and continue review at a future meeting after questions from residents.
During the audience-with-citizens segment, resident Jennifer Nelson asked how the town will control trees and other vegetation damaged by wildlife in relation to the draft blight ordinance. In response, the board said it would delete item 12 of the draft ordinance (the paragraph that defined those plants as blighted when they interfere with adjoining properties or rights-of-way) and take more time to study the ordinance before acting.
Separately, Selectman Bart Laws and residents reported meeting with the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG). Rose Hiskes of CIPWG offered to host a Saturday event and site tour to identify invasive species and demonstrate removal techniques; the proposal includes recruiting volunteers for a “walk and cut” to remove identified invasive plants. The board had earlier voted to add the invasive-plant discussion to the agenda; that motion was made by Bart Laws, seconded by Michael Gurnack, and carried.
The selectmen did not set a date to resume formal consideration of the blight ordinance. The proposed CIPWG event is intended as an educational and volunteer action to help residents identify and remove invasive species in town.
