Austintown trustees declare more than 20 properties public nuisances, order abatement

The Board of Trustees of Austintown Township voted May 5, 2025 to declare a list of residential properties public nuisances under Ohio Revised Code 505.87 and ordered owners to abate conditions such as high grass, junk and debris.

The motion, made by Trustee Robert Santos and seconded by Trustee Monica Deavers, passed unanimously (Resolution #25-05-05-06). The resolution identifies more than 20 parcels by street address and parcel number and directs owners to abate, control or remove the nuisances within seven days from the date of adoption, or within four days for repeat violations within 12 calendar months. If the township must perform abatement, the resolution states the township will recover expenses by placing a minimum $500 charge on the tax duplicate as a lien against the property.

The resolution lists specific examples including exposed furniture and mattresses at a curb, accumulated construction materials and woodchip piles that need spreading or removal, fallen fencing requiring repair or razing, and high grass at multiple addresses. The board cited Ohio Revised Code 505.87 as the legal basis for the action.

Trustees emphasized the timeline and lien authority in their discussion; the board did not reduce the abatement timeframes during the meeting. The action follows the township’s routine code‑enforcement process and was presented as a motion during the zoning department section of the agenda.

The board’s motion was recorded as unanimous: Trustees Deavers, Santos and Chairperson Bruce Shepas voted yes. The resolution is effective immediately; property owners with questions were not quoted in the minutes. The township said it will proceed with abatement if owners do not comply and that costs will be assessed to properties as a lien.