CODES CRACKDOWN

Township to focus on property maintenance issues

WEST POTTSGROVE >> Township officials have announced a crackdown on unkempt properties.

During the July 3 commissioners’ meeting, board Chairman Steve Miller said the township has procured “door hanger” cards for code violations.

This allows the township to forgo the time lapse of sending a violation in the mail.

Miller said the problem on properties not being maintained has increased in the township in recent years.

“We have more people just walking away from their homes,” said Miller.

“And we send violation notices to the banks, and they don’t always respond,” he added.

So the township will now begin issuing more violation notices and if property owners do not respond and fix the problem, particularly for things like weeks and junk in the yard, township workers will come in and do the work themselves.

Then a tax lien will be levied against the property for when it sells to cover the cost of the work.

“That tends to get the banks attention, because that’s money out of their pocket,” Miller said.

During the discussion, one particular property came up as an example.

Located at the corner of Jefferson and Lemon streets, weeds and trees have overgrown the small home there.

There is also at least one car, long covered with a tarp, as well as a lawn tractor and other debris.

Township Manager Craig Lloyd assured the commissioners that the township staff is on top of the situation.

Miller asked that residents who see a problem property call the township and “simply report the address and we’ll look into it.”

The township will now begin issuing more violation notices and if property owners do not respond and fix the problem, particularly for things like weeks and junk in the yard, township workers will come in and do the work themselves.

EVAN BRANDT — MEDIANEWS GROUP West Pottsgrove Commissioners say property conditions at this home at the corner of Jefferson and Lemon streets has required the township to intervene.

EVAN BRANDT — MEDIANEWS GROUP Overgrown vegetation, junk cars and other debris will all be the focus of a new effort by West Pottsgrove Township.

EVAN BRANDT — MEDIANEWS GROUP Weeds and overgrowth at the rear of a property at the intersection of Jefferson and Lemon streets may well end up being taken care of by township workers.