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Code enforcement asks Pelletier commissioners for 'teeth' to address chronic nuisance properties
Summary
Code enforcement Lieutenant Chris Jensen told the Pelletier Board that repeat offenders and unkempt properties are stretching local enforcement; he asked the board for a local civil-citation mechanism and accepted a sample enforcement letter staff offered to pursue compliance before escalating to state citations.
Lieutenant Chris Jensen, the town's code enforcement officer, told the Pelletier Board of Commissioners on April 3 that several properties have persistent trash, overgrowth and other nuisance conditions and that existing processes leave him with limited leverage.
"I'm at the point now where I'm gonna start whipping at state citations on these people," Jensen said, adding that he would prefer a local civil citation or "town ticket" that would allow the town to impose modest penalties and encourage compliance. Jensen walked commissioners through multiple properties he identified as possible abatement candidates and said he had attached photographs to his report.
Commissioners and staff discussed the enforcement options already on the books. A commissioner noted the board had "just adopted that ordinance," and staff said the town can hire a contractor to abate properties and place the cost on the owner's tax bill if owners fail to comply. Board members and Jensen agreed staff would provide a sample notice or letter Jensen could use to warn property owners before escalating enforcement.
Jensen said his preference was to use a local citation and the town's administrative process rather than immediately pursue state-level citations. "Leverage is all I'm asking for," he said, explaining that repeated warnings have gone unheeded and that a clear local penalty would improve results.
The board did not enact a new penalty at the meeting but directed staff to work with Jensen on the enforcement letter and options for abatement and collection. Commissioners also noted the potential to hire contractors to clean properties and recoup costs through property tax mechanisms if owners fail to act.
The discussion concluded with staff offering a sample enforcement letter and Jensen saying he would use it to pursue compliance.
The board then moved on to other agenda items.
