Cecilton council raises safety concerns about abandoned properties, plans outreach and ordinance review

Administrator Cooper told the Town of Cecilton Mayor and Council on March 23 that the town is facing recurring problems with abandoned or poorly maintained properties.

Regarding a parcel classified as Cemetery Lane/Stump Lane, Cooper said the site is effectively abandoned, a chimney is close to collapse, and turkey vultures are roosting and causing damage to neighboring property. She said letters to the owner have been returned and that the taxes on the parcel have been paid by an unknown party; the town does not have an updated mailing address. Member Hester Wise said she knows the owner’s daughter and will try to obtain contact information so the town can require maintenance or levy fines if necessary.

On North Bohemia Avenue, Cooper said she entered the property with the owner’s permission, documented vandalism and open doors and windows, and sent photos to the owner. Cooper said the owner told her there were "No Trespassing" signs and described the house as a project; the owner told her he intends to address it and is expected in town in about three weeks. Cooper said she contacted the Maryland Historical Trust to seek potential support for preserving an ice house on the property but that the Trust told her it does not fund boarding up privately owned projects where the owner is not residing on site.

Cooper said she will review nuisance-property ordinances from other small towns after the Health Department and county referrals produced unclear next steps. The council did not vote on new enforcement action at the meeting but directed staff to continue outreach to owners and to research ordinance language that would clarify the town’s authority and notification process.

Member Wise emphasized the town’s need to find current owner contact information and ensure the safety of neighboring properties and residents.