Code‑enforcement officer proposes 30‑day notice and cites state penalty in Peletier

The Peletier code‑enforcement officer outlined a new enforcement approach on May 1, proposing a standardized 30‑day notice before pursuing ordinance violations.

"I've come up with a 30 day notice," the officer said, explaining the town would deliver the notice in person or by certified mail and then pursue further action if property owners did not comply. The officer told commissioners he had incorporated the relevant North Carolina citation as written in the town’s draft enforcement paperwork and listed three compliance options, including civil abatement when a responsible party cannot be located.

During the presentation the officer said the transcript‑cited statute (noted in the meeting as “14 4”) frames the offense as a misdemeanor and that a civil penalty of $50 per day is available; board members asked the officer to confirm statutory references and procedural steps before staff issues notices.

Mayor Dale Sowers and other commissioners expressed general support for a measured approach that gives property owners time to clean up nuisances before formal citations. Commissioner David Bragg said the new notice policy would give the town "something to go after these guys with" who do not comply.

The officer asked the board to review the proposed notice and advise changes; commissioners offered minor procedural clarifications and said staff should return with any recommended edits. The board did not adopt the final text as an ordinance at the meeting; the officer indicated he would deliver sample notices to staff and pursue follow‑up steps once the board confirmed procedural details.

What’s next: Staff was asked to finalize the draft notice and confirm the statutory citation and enforcement process for a future meeting agenda.