Town board starts 30-day period for nuisance citations, names properties for potential enforcement

A staff member told the board the act of signing nuisance orders starts the town’s statutory notice period, meaning property owners will have the 15- or 30-day window specified in the notices to remedy violations. The staff member said inspectors took photographs from the road, completed paperwork and that the town board had signed to initiate the citation process.

The Chair asked for a formal motion to record in the minutes identifying the properties to be cited so enforcement actions would be clear and enforceable. "If you would, just for clarity's sake for your minutes, somebody make a motion for properties a, b, c, and d, and then authorize the citations," the Chair said, explaining fines could begin after the appropriate notice period if the town has to file suit.

A staff member then read several property locations discussed for potential nuisance action: 400 East 1st Street; 204 East Indiana Avenue; 203 East Morgan Street; 300 East 2nd Street; and 111 Harrison Street (as stated in the transcript). The Chair clarified that a complaint from a member of the public that includes an address can also serve as the basis for a citation and that board members themselves may identify properties for enforcement.

The transcript includes the discussion of listing addresses for minutes and authorization but does not record a formal motion, a named mover or seconder, or a roll-call vote. The minutes and any later recorded motion or vote will determine the legal start of enforcement actions.

Next steps: the board indicated it will present the addresses in the minutes and — if members decide to move forward formally — make a motion at a subsequent meeting or record the motion in the minutes to complete the legal authorization for enforcement.