Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dormant Properties topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Malden OKs flat mowing fees for dormant lots and explores property donations
Summary
The Building Code Committee approved charging $100 per mowing for lots under "100 X 100" and $200 for larger lots, and staff will contact dormant-property owners about potential donations; title searches are estimated at $250–$300 each.
The Malden Building Code Committee on March 26 approved a new flat-fee schedule for city maintenance of dormant properties: $100 per mowing for lots described in the meeting as "under 100 X 100" and $200 per mowing for lots over that size.
Director Jeff Mitchell said the city’s current charges are based on a formula that uses time, employee costs, and equipment costs drawn from a FEMA schedule; he recommended switching to the flat-fee model. Committee Member Dianna Rogers moved to approve Mitchell’s recommendation; Committee Member Robert House seconded and the motion carried 4–0.
Clerk Mandy Lewis said multiple work orders were issued to the Ground Maintenance Department so mowing could begin with warmer weather. Mitchell also said he will reach out to some dormant-property owners to ask whether they would consider donating lots to the city; City Administrator/Utility Director Ivone Smith said a donation procedure already exists. Lewis said city and county taxes must be determined before outreach and that title searches would cost about $250–$300 each.
The meeting record lists lot sizes as "100 X 100" without specifying units; staff follow-up should clarify the measurement (e.g., feet) before applying the flat-fee schedule citywide. Mitchell said he will contact property owners about donations and staff will return with next steps.
