Hearing officer Tom Wilburger continues multiple citation appeals, waives others after compliance

On Feb. 19, 2026, at a municipal citation appeal hearing, Hearing Officer Tom Wilburger reviewed several property-code appeals, granting short continuances in some cases, waiving citations where work or permits were documented, and warning of enforcement if violations persisted.

The most contested case involved 51 Ferrero Drive, where code enforcement reported 15 citations dating to Dec. 2024 for parking vehicles within setback lines, multiple unregistered vehicles and a trailer parked in the front yard. Code enforcement said inspectors found vehicles “in the grass next to the side property line” and that a recently added trailer created additional zoning concerns. The enforcement officer said the total liability could reach about $9,000 if unpaid citations were tripled and upheld. Agency counsel warned the owner that the office could seek an injunction if violations were not resolved.

The resident, identified in the hearing only as the property owner, disputed parts of the record and said recent illness and DMV processing problems slowed his ability to produce registration documents. “I finally got into the DMV... all my vehicles are registered except one that had to go to emissions,” he said, adding that he had been hospitalized and that snow hindered cleanup. The hearing officer set a one-month continuance and told the owner to provide registration evidence or remove the unregistered items and the trailer. “If it’s not cleaned up by then, we’re going to enforce the ticket,” Tom Wilburger said.

In a separate matter at 14 Balsam Street, code enforcement said an unpermitted rear deck had been removed or replaced with steps and that a residential building permit was open and active. The owner told the panel the contractor said the work was done to code. The hearing waived the ticket after confirmation that the permit application was in place and the immediate safety concern had been addressed.

A citation related to a malfunctioning storm drain (noted as the 1999 machine case) was reported fixed: the inspector confirmed the drain was cleaned and functioning as of October, and the hearing closed the matter; the property owner will receive written confirmation.

On 15 Upson Street, code enforcement said a $200 building-permit ticket remained outstanding and the appellant was not present; the hearing officer said he would check permit application records and indicated tickets could be upheld if compliance had not been achieved by the next hearing.

The hearing repeatedly emphasized the local code limit of one unregistered vehicle on a residential property. Across cases the hearing officer offered short continuances where evidence of progress or permit activity existed and warned that unresolved violations could be pursued through fines and court action.

The next hearing dates were set or confirmed: the officer called an April review for the junkyard-style citation and a one-month continuance for the multi-citation Ferrero case. Owners who document compliance with registrations, permits or cleanup will avoid enforcement; otherwise the city may uphold fines or seek legal remedies.