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Residents press Princeton council on long-running nuisance properties, cite $100-a-day fines
Summary
Two residents told the council about persistent junk, tall grass and derelict vehicles at multiple properties and urged enforcement; the city said it is pursuing inventories, adjudication and sale of a distressed home at 526 North Chestnut and council members pledged an in-person follow-up within 24 hours.
Several Princeton residents used the meeting's public-comment period to urge the City Council to enforce local property-maintenance rules and to speed action on longstanding nuisance properties.
"I live at 527 North Chestnut," resident Carolyn Stall told the council, describing tall yard and alley grass, derelict vehicles without current tags, mattresses left by garages and other debris. "Isn't there something, an ordinance for things like that that can be addressed?" she asked, saying neighbors have repeatedly raised the issue.
City staff acknowledged the problem is handled case by case. Teresa, speaking for city administration, said the city had pursued violations through zoning work and an adjudication process, and that some properties present special challenges such as elderly owners or expensive legal steps to gain control. She noted the city recently acquired 526 North Chestnut after a multi-year effort and said officials expect to have that property ready for sale to a buyer able to renovate within about 90 days.
Resident Kent Parish said other properties remain in disrepair, including 103 East Marian and 512 South Church, and urged enforcement. Parish said zoning administrator Michael Zering sent a demand letter on July 10, 2025 with a July 26 deadline and calculated the ordinance's $100-per-day penalty could amount to roughly $27,000 for the days he estimated had passed since the deadline.
"I encourage the city council and the police to live up to the ordinances that you implement yourself," Parish said.
Council member Sleski said she and a colleague, Don, had visited the homeowner on one troubled property and would meet again within 24 hours to develop a renewed plan of action and to follow up with Parish. The council also noted the city provides sticker-based bulk pickup (residents must place stickers on items) and offers an adjudication program that can assess fines after notice and the attorney-led process outlined by staff.
Stall also asked whether the city was pursuing grants to replace lead service lines. Teresa said Princeton has completed multiple inventory rounds for lead service lines and is now preparing funding requests; staff said many communities compete for those funds and the city is assembling its case to apply.
The public comments ended when Parish exceeded the three-minute limit and said he would continue his remarks at the next meeting. Council members repeatedly said they would follow up in person and had a plan to press for action.
