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Residents urge action after fires and dumping; council to review ordinances for junkyards and vacant lots
Summary
Residents described fires, dumping and public‑health risks at a local junkyard and vacant lots. Councilmembers called for ordinance amendments, soil testing and a citizen committee to push enforcement and cleaner lots.
Multiple council members and residents pressed the town to take stronger action against a local junkyard and poorly maintained vacant lots after fires and dumping incidents. Councilman Oscar urged environmental testing for contaminants such as PFAS, PFOA and hydrocarbons and said the town’s current ordinances lack sufficient enforcement language to stop ongoing violations.
Council members agreed that the town’s existing laws "do not have enough meat" to address the infractions being observed and instructed staff and the town attorney to review ordinances and propose amendments. One council member suggested forming a citizens’ committee to collect resident input before returning recommended ordinance language to the attorney.
During public comment, a resident from 58th Avenue reported prostitution, dumped waste and used condoms in a vacant lot adjacent to homes and asked for extra patrols and cleanup. Officials committed to prioritizing alleyway cleanups, identifying lot ownership, and working with public works and the police to schedule patrols and consider county dumping cameras at key spots.
No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; council members asked that the item be revisited at an April work session with draft language to close enforcement gaps.
