Council hears introduction of public-health nuisance policy targeting chronic commercial calls

The Cumberland town council received an introduction to Ordinance 2025-16, a proposed public-health-and-safety nuisance policy aimed at commercial properties that generate repeated calls for public-safety response.

Mr. Blitz (presenting) described the policy as "progressive": under the draft, the town would track calls for service to a commercial property and issue a warning at seven calls within a given period. At the tenth call the owner would be required to meet with a public-safety review team and execute a remediation agreement; if a property reached 15 calls and the owner had not entered or substantially complied with remediation obligations the property could be designated a "chronic violator" and be subject to a $250 fine for subsequent violations during the designation period.

The policy would apply to commercial properties as defined in the draft and would not apply to industrial uses, residential single-family homes, medical facilities, other government entities or schools. Mr. Blitz said examples of remediation measures could include vehicle registration per customer address for lots, training employees on alarm systems, posting customer-only signs, and other measures tailored in a remediation agreement.

Council members asked about enforceability and remedies if owners do not pay fines. Staff said injunctive remedies or court-based code-enforcement steps could be used consistent with state law, but property liens would not be imposed under this nuisance agreement. Council asked about mixed-use buildings (ground-floor business with upstairs apartments) and staff confirmed commercial units would be the focus for enforcement, while separate residential units would be treated as residential for exemption purposes.

The ordinance was introduced for consideration; council members were invited to review the draft and return comments before the next meeting.