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Aldermen approve inland wetlands, zoning and blight enforcement citations with amended fine language
Summary
After committee reports and amendments, the board adopted ordinances creating inland‑wetlands, zoning enforcement citation, and blighted premises citation authorities, modifying draft language so fines read as discretionary 'a fine of up to' statutory maximums ($1,000/day for wetlands, $150/day for zoning) and approved them unanimously.
The Milford Board of Aldermen voted on June 1 to adopt three ordinances that add citation‑based enforcement options for inland wetlands, zoning and blighted premises, after committee review and several amendments to fine language.
The ordinance committee presented the measures under agenda item 12(a). For the inland wetlands ordinance (chapter 18, article 12a), discussion focused on the statutory ceiling for daily fines. Some aldermen argued the higher maximum ($1,000 per day under state statute) is appropriate given potential irreversible environmental harm; others proposed lower fixed amounts or more discretion for enforcement officers. The board amended the language so that fines read as discretionary — "a fine of up to $1,000 per day" — to give enforcement officers authority to calibrate penalties within the statutory maximum.
For zoning enforcement citations (chapter 18, article 7a), the board similarly amended draft language to state that each violation "shall be a fine of up to $150 for each day a violation continues to exist," a formulation consistent with existing city ordinance style and that the city attorney said aligns with the state citation statute. The blighted‑premises amendments (chapter 10, article 2) retained their existing discretionary language (fines not to exceed specified amounts) and passed as presented.
Board discussion noted the citation program is intended to provide a faster, less costly administrative path than court prosecutions; the city attorney explained the statute requires a hearing process and the new tool will allow appeals to the zoning board of appeals rather than immediate litigation. Aldermen asked staff to ensure consistent drafting across ordinances and discussed administrative capacity to handle citation hearings.
All three ordinances — as amended on the floor — were approved in a final combined vote.
Next steps: updated ordinance language will be codified in the City of Milford Code of Ordinances and enforcement staff will be briefed on hearing and penalty procedures.
