Deputy asks for more hours as code-enforcement work continues; town flags liability limits on volunteer cleanup

Deputy Steve Klapka told the Board of Commissioners that his main goal is to get homeowners into compliance and that "many problems have been addressed after having made contact or sent letters to homeowners." Klapka said he currently works 12 hours a week and asked whether the commission would support increasing his hours; he said up to 24 hours weekly would allow him to complete more compliance work.

Town Attorney Robert Eschenfelder cautioned that the town's authority to act on private property is constrained by process and legal limits, saying any final action "would have to be approved by a judge." Town Manager Margaret Carey added that residents who want to volunteer to help must have written permission from property owners before entering private property. Commissioners pressed for follow-up: Commissioner Doug Harr requested an updated list of noncompliant addresses and Mayor Tom Kapper expressed support for increasing enforcement capacity.

Residents at the workshop raised related concerns. Christy Herig offered to help residents with substantial-damage calculations, and resident Bennet Walling said noncompliant properties are lowering neighborhood property values. The board did not take a formal vote on staffing changes during the workshop; Town Manager Carey said staff would provide an updated compliance list at the next meeting and that a contract request reflecting a prior administrator's recommendation to increase Deputy Klapka's hours was already in place.