By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
The town of Van Buren’s quest to update its property maintenance code drags on. Residents continued to speak both in favor of and in opposition to the revamped code at the Oct. 20 meeting of the Van Buren Town Board. The public hearing will continue Nov. 4.
“We anticipate voting on it that night,” Deputy Supervisor Mary Frances Sabin told the Messenger before the Oct. 20 public hearing.
Sabin and Councilor Darcie Lesniak said that the town board is taking resident feedback into consideration and trying to clarify the language of the proposed law.
“This is taking it out of the subjective realm, which is the New York State code, and putting it in the objective realm,” Sabin said.
Among the clarifications and changes:
• The definition of “motor vehicle” now includes classic and antique cars.
• The definition of “yard waste” now includes clippings and old matter from flower gardens.
• Residents may have one junk vehicle or seasonal craft in their yard as long as the vehicle is covered. The cover must be in good condition — not torn, ripped or shredded.
• Residents have a 30-day grace period to correct issues on their property before an official code violation is issued. Lesniak called the 30-day warning period “unprecedented” among Onondaga County municipalities.
Lesniak acknowledged that passing the law is a balancing act between preserving property owners’ rights and maintaining a neat, safe environment.
“This is a really hard law to pass for me because I hate telling people what they can and can’t do with their property, but some people are not taking being a property owner seriously,” Lesniak said.
Sabin said the law is not intended to be heavy-handed.
“We don’t want to cause problems between neighbors,” she said.
“Or have them use this law against each other,” Lesniak added. “It’s a tool for our code enforcement officer.”
At the public hearing, resident Lee Tetu said the proposed law infringes on the rights of property owners. He said the law is more about aesthetics than health or safety.
“Private property is one of the foundations of our free society. It’s one of the things we have left to us that you can say, ‘This is mine. I’m independent,’” Tetu said.
Tetu also questioned the timing of the board’s actions and suggested the board table the issue and revisit it next year.
“Why now? I mean, we’ve got COVID going on,” Tetu said. “Everyone’s attention is focused on national elections.”
Tetu said the punishments for code violations are too harsh.
Resident Jean Akers weighed in as well, noting that many residents have spoken out against the proposal.
“I wouldn’t say I’m for or against it, but if I had to come down with an opinion, I would always vote with the people, so I would vote against it,” Akers said.
The Van Buren Town Board will hold two public hearings on the 2021 budget and the property maintenance law at its next meeting, which takes place 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. In-person attendance will be limited, so residents may participate via Zoom as well. To join the Zoom meeting, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82247634312/.
Send your comments on the property maintenance law or the budget by email to [email protected]; by mail to Town Clerk Lynn Precourt, Town of Van Buren, 7575 Van Buren Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027; or by fax to 315-635-8247.
