The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — Clifton Forge is continuing to enforce codes covering property upkeep.
Town council on Tuesday night received a report on enforcement efforts. The report was given by Jennifer Morris, the town’s director of community development; and John Zeek, the code enforcement officer.
Zeek said he places primary focus on properties along main thoroughfares.
“We try to get the cases on the main roads coming through town. Places in town where we have a lot of visitors coming through … we try to concentrate on what the town looks like to people coming into town and leaving town,” Zeek said.
From June to January, the town sent 47 notices for violations of the town’s open-storage ordinance. The ordinance forbids certain items from being stored in yards or on porches. The ordinance says the items must be stored in a shed or building.
Twenty-seven property owners complied after they received a notification letter from the town.
“We have found that putting a letter out and stirring up the dust a bit motivates most people to clean up,” Zeek said.
Property owners are generally given two weeks before the town enacts enforcement measures.
Zeek said court cases regarding property upkeep move slowly. He issued 10 court summonses between June and January.
Morris said the town is also placing an emphasis on removing inoperable vehicles from properties. The ordinance covers trailers and semi-trailers in addition to cars.
“We have even removed vehicles that had trees growing through them,” Morris said.
The town sent 50 notices regarding inoperable vehicles from June to January.
Twenty-three of the vehicles were removed by the owners; 10 were towed by the town, and 15 remain on a list to be towed.
“When it comes to inoperable vehicles, car covers do not apply. They must be screened from view in a building or shelter,” Morris said.
The town monitors grass mowing from spring to early autumn. Last year, 153 properties were mowed by the town, with more than $33,000 billed to the property owners.
The town ordinance says grass and weeds can be no more than six inches in height.
On average, Morris said, the town charges $101 to mow a property, with a $150 civil penalty added.
Of the $33,000 billed for mowing violations last year, the town has collected about $4,700. Morris said her office will begin tracking the payments more closely and seek to collect the money owed.
“We only mow the houses that are vacant. If people do live in the houses, we will take them to court,” she said.
In another matter related to potential growth in town, council directed Town Manager Darlene Burcham to write a letter urging Lumos to expedite deployment of broadband Internet access.
“Broadband is a utility. It’s as essential as electric, as water, as sewer and as gas in today’s world,” Burcham said.
Susan Goings of Forest Hills spoke to council concerning broadband.
“We want broadband for every resident in Clifton Forge,” Goings said.
Burcham said Lumos recently added broadband access along Jefferson Street, but stopped at the bridge that crosses Interstate 64. Broadband is also available on Roxbury Street and a portion of Church Avenue.
In other business Tuesday night, council:
— Approved a resolution honoring retiring Police Chief Barry Balser, who is retiring Friday after 35 years with the police department. Chad Wickline has been named to succeed Balser.
— Received a $2,000 funding request from the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center.
The request is for the upcoming 2019-2020 budget.
The art center’s director, Nancy Newhard, said the facility on Ridgeway Street attracts 8,000 to 9,000 visitors annually.
