By Jason Klaiber
Staff Writer
While patrolling East Syracuse lately, Chris Shields has noticed things amiss far too often for his comfort.
Shields, the village’s code enforcement officer, now plans to tackle what he calls the all-too-common code infractions around his municipality.
In confronting a few areas of concern he is considering things he sees as important but easy to remedy, namely garbage laws, outdoor storage, lawn care and nuisance vehicles.
Shields hopes to spruce up the community and cut down on negativity swirling around its reputation.
“We’re trying to revitalize the Village of East Syracuse,” Shields said. “I know this village can get back to what it was 50 or 60 years ago.”
Before any fines or court appearances, notices containing information about the pertinent code will be sent to the property owners or tenants responsible for the violation.
“We want to educate the residents on what the codes are and what’s expected of them,” Shields said.
Shields said he believes village codes and international property maintenance codes reflect common sense. If left unchecked, unsightly features can lead to decreased property value for a given residence and even its neighboring homes, according to Shields.
Garbage
Shields said he acknowledges that many, if not most, residents have been unaware of the garbage laws and other codes currently on the books.
The village code dictates that garbage bags stored outside need to be placed in a sealed garbage can at all times.
Garbage bags outside of a sealed container should not be set on the curb under any circumstances.
Without a garbage can, squirrels, skunks and other animals will be more likely to rip open the bags and scatter the contents along the street.
According to the village code, garbage cans and blue bins have to be stored behind the premises or indoors instead of in the front or on the sides of the house the entirety of the week.
“People should be able to walk down the sidewalk and not have to walk by garbage cans,” Shields said. “It doesn’t look good.”
The garbage containers should not be filthy, leaky or defective, nor can they exceed 75 pounds or 30 gallons in capacity.
If placed outdoors, these containers need to be covered to prevent the accumulation of rain or snow inside them.
Additionally no garbage cans can be placed at the curb prior to 4 p.m. on Thursdays, and all empty containers must be removed from the curb by 6 p.m. on Fridays, the designated collection day.
In regard to rental properties, international code states landlords must supply their tenants with garbage cans.
Trash
The village differentiates between “garbage” and “trash.”
Trash refers to items such as construction debris, faulty toilets, broken washing machines, worn-and-torn mattresses or other furniture.
The village’s department of public works (DPW) picks up trash on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. When one of those Mondays lands on a holiday, the trash is usually picked up on that Tuesday instead.
Trash cannot be placed on the curb until 4 p.m. the Sunday before a pick-up day.
Apart from being set on the curb for pick-up days, outdoor storage will remain strictly prohibited anywhere on the exterior of a property, unless the item belongs outside, like a lawn chair or a grill.
Lawnmowers, coolers and building materials are not to be kept outside if not being used.
For trash items to be picked up, they need blue stickers attached. These $1 stickers can be purchased at the village municipal building, located at 204 North Center St.
The DPW will not pick up televisions, computer monitors, anything containing Freon, dehumidifiers or tires.
Lawn maintenance
The village code calls for front lawns to stay at or below eight inches.
In this instance, the village made their local law stricter than the international code, which lists 10 inches as the maximum length allowed.
Nuisance vehicles
The village allows zero unregistered or inoperable vehicles, also called “nuisance vehicles,” on a property.
“Neighbors shouldn’t have to look outside and see a broken down car hidden in the backyard,” Shields said.
He said such vehicles do not look good aesthetically and could present a safety hazard if, for example, they contained full tanks of gas or had leaks.
Nuisance vehicles can be stowed away in one’s garage to avoid a code violation.
Shields said people living in more rural areas than East Syracuse can get away with something like a “junk car.”
“When you live in a village, it’s a different lifestyle,” he said. “You have to abide by the codes here because your property affects your neighbor’s property too greatly.”
The village code consists of write-ups for hundreds of other violations not witnessed as often, including ones for missing siding on a house and unfenced swimming pools.
Shields said he receives anonymous tips about code violations online, over the phone and by word of mouth.
“I take all complaints seriously,” he said. “I’ll go out. I’ll investigate.”
To leave a message with the Village of East Syracuse, residents can click on the “Contact Us” link at the top of the village website or email Chris Shields at [email protected] for all issues related to code enforcement.
