Tired of looking at the eyesore in your neighbor’s yard?
Officials are hoping proposed changes to Springfield Township Ordinance 16 will encourage residents to maintain their property’and make it easier to impose fines or sanctions when they don’t.
‘We all know there are things that occur all over the community that are not technically a violation (of the current ordinance),? said Springfield Township Supervisor Collin Walls at a Feb. 13 township board meeting. ‘But you wouldn’t want to live next door or across the street from them, and it’s frustrating for the people who do.?
The township receives a number of complaints each year from residents who say they’re tired of looking at blight situations.
‘We have an ordinance that deals pretty clearly with vehicles that are unlicensed or inoperable, and litter, as we define it, but nothing else,? Walls said earlier this week. ‘There are things that are generally considered blight, and those things have a negative influence either on property values or enjoyment of your property.?
Garbage cans left at the curb long after trash collectors go by, said Walls, and tarp-covered garage sale tables that seem to sit around all summer, are ‘a couple of the worst examples? and often prompt angry residents to call or visit the township offices to complain.
‘The garage sale is fine,? Walls explained. ‘But when you leave the material and your tables out at the street side for weeks at a time when you’re not even open, that (constitutes blight).?
Old cars that clutter residential yards and driveways have also generated quite a few complaints, but such vehicles don’t necessarily violate the township’s ordinance.
‘There’s a limit,? said Walls. ‘If the vehicle is licensed is operable and can legally go up and down the road, even if it (looks terrible) there’s nothing we can do.?
Still, proposed changes to the ordinance were drafted by township attorneys after a discussion of the situation, and should help control the problem, he said.
A copy of the proposed amendments were published as required by state law, and can be viewed in the ‘legals? section of this week’s Clarkston News on 14B.
Before changes are officially adopted, the township board will accept public comments on proposed amendments to Ordinance 16 during the regular board meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 13 at the Springfield Township Civic Center.
For more information, call the Springfield Township offices at 248-634-3111 or visit www.springfield-twp.us

Coming soon
to a violator
near you…

Violators beware’a brand new ordinance officer will soon arrive to make sure residents comply with junk, litter and pollution laws, as well as Springfield Township’s other ordinances.
‘The individual responsible for ordinance enforcement currently is not doing a very good job at all,? said Springfield Township Supervisor Collin Walls at a Feb. 14 township board meeting. ‘It’s me.?
Walls took over the responsibility during the last 18 months when economic conditions forced the layoff of the former ordinance officer.
‘I was na’ve enough to think I could do justice to this along with all the other things I’m doing,? Walls said. ‘But I’m not going to be able to do it.?
The new ordinance officer will have use of a township vehicle and work approximately 10-12 hours per week at the rate of $16 per hour.
Funds were allocated in the township’s current budget in anticipation of the situation.