Bridgeport to crack down on dilapidated properties
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BRIDGEPORT -- Village officials said they will look into taking further action toward property owners with dilapidated structures in an effort to reduce blight in the community.
The discussion was raised during Tuesday's Bridgeport Village Council meeting, when Councilman Ben Lenz spoke about a home on Whitley Street that incurred extensive damage from a fire a few years ago.
He said the property owner has not made any effort to tear the home down or make repairs.
"He's got to do something with that property. It's just sitting there," Lyle said. "Do we send him a letter? What do we do?"
Assistant Police Chief Darby Copeland said in Pease Township, where he is the chief of police, officials issue a cleanup order.
If the property owner fails to do comply, the township cleans the property and places a lien against the owner's taxes.
Solicitor Michael Shaheen added that a village ordinance would also have a similar result. He offered to write up a letter to the property owner on Whitley Street that would allot a specified number of days to clean up the property before action would be taken.
Councilman Joseph Lyle said he doesn't believe there is a street in the village that does not have a blighted structure on it.
After further discussion regarding council members' displeasure about the number of dilapidated buildings, Shaheen and the police department was directed to take a more "aggressive and timely approach" to minimize the blight.
"Such as if anyone in town recognizes they have property that needs improvement, now would be the time to do it. Otherwise they may be the subject of some type of legal proceeding," Shaheen added.
In other matters, Shaheen said he received an update regarding the Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Multidistrict Litigation case in which the village is involved.
The case is a national lawsuit against a company or companies connected to the PFAS chemicals found in the village's water source.
Since the contaminants were found, the village has been purchasing water from Martins Ferry.
Shaheen said the case is set for trial this summer.
"Historically when there are cases like this with the same common interest, at some point on a federal level there are run together to try to come up with a common resolution because it's basically with the same defendants. … So I would expect at some point we're going to be asked to, hopefully, to consider some type of resolution," he said.
Shaheen said the results could mean the monitoring of wells and some funds coming to the village for safety and health purposes. He said a future special meeting could be called if any further action is needed to be taken in the case.
Also, Copeland, who filled in for Chief John Bumba at the meeting, announced the police department has received a $1,000 safety equipment grant that will allow it to purchase new on-duty boots for officers.
In another matter, Copeland said the department has received complaints about motorists speeding. He reminds residents that the weather is improving, meaning more people will be outside.
"You'll likely see an uptick in citations next month as we remind everyone that kids are going to be out playing and all those things," he added.
Council next meets at 6 p.m. April 18 at the municipal building.