A Local Law providing for the repair, demolition or removal of unsafe buildings in the Town of Caroga.
Section 1 – Purpose
Section 2 – Definitions
Section 3 – Investigation and report
Section 4 – Order for repair or removal
Section 5 – Contents of notice
Section 6 – Service of notice
Section 7 – Filing of copy of notice
Section 8 – Failure of compliance; removal by town
Section 9 – Assessment of expenses
Section 10 – Emergencies
Section 11 – Compensation of assistant to Code Enforcement Officer
Unsafe buildings pose a threat to life and property in the Town of Caroga. Buildings and structures may become unsafe by reason of damage by fire, the elements, age or general deterioration. Vacant buildings not properly secured at doorways and windows also serve as an attractive nuisance for young children, who may be injured therein, as well as a point of congregation by vagrants and transients. A dilapidated building may also serve as a place of rodent infestation, thereby creating a health menace to the community. It is the purpose of this local law to provide for the safety, health, protection and general welfare of the persons and property in the Town of Caroga by requiring such unsafe buildings to be repaired or demolished and removed.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any building, structure or portion thereof used for residential, business or industrial purpose.
The Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of Caroga or such person appointed by the Town Board to enforce the provisions of this local law.
When in Code Enforcement Officer’s opinion or upon receipt of information that a building is or may become dangerous or unsafe to the general public; is open at the doorways and windows making it accessible to and an object of attraction to minors under eighteen (18) years of age, as well as to vagrants and other trespassers; is or may become a place of rodent infestation; presents any other danger to the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the public, or is unfit for the purposes for which it may lawfully be used, he, along with the town’s Health Officer and town’s Sanitary Inspector shall cause or make an inspection thereof and report in writing to the Town Board their findings and recommendations in regard to its repair or demolition and removal. If it is deemed necessary the Code Enforcement Officer may appoint in addition to Health Officer and Sanitary Inspector and with consent of the Town Supervisor, an engineer, architect, practical builder, Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy, or New York State Police Officer to inspect the premises and assist him with the written report of findings and recommendations.
The Town Board shall thereafter consider such report and by resolution determine, if in its opinion the report so warrants, that such building is unsafe and dangerous and order its repair, if the same can be safely repaired, or its demolition and removal, and further order that a notice be served upon the persons and in the manner provided herein.
The notice shall contain the following:
A description of the premises.
A statement of the particulars in which the building is unsafe or dangerous.
An order outlining the manner in which the building is to be made safe and secure or demolished and removed.
A statement that the securing or removal of such building shall commence within thirty (30) days of the service of the notice and shall be completed within sixty (60) days thereafter unless for good cause shown such time shall be extended.
A date, time and place for a hearing before the Town Board in relation to such dangerous or unsafe building, which hearing shall be scheduled not less than five (5) business days from the date of service of the notice.
A statement that in the event of neglect or refusal to comply with the order to secure or demolish and remove the building, the Town Board is authorized to provide for its demolition and removal, to assess all expenses thereof against the land on which it is located and to institute a special proceeding to collect the costs of demolition, including legal expenses.
The said notice shall be served:
By personal service of a copy thereof upon the owner, executor, administrator, agent, lease or any person having a vested or contingent interest in such unsafe building as shown by the records of the Receiver of Taxes (or Tax Collector) or of the County Clerk or, if no such person can be reasonably found, by mailing to such owner by registered mail a copy of such notice directed to his last known address as shown by the above records; and
By personal service of a copy of such notice upon any adult person residing in or occupying said premises if such person can be reasonably found; and
By securely affixing a copy of such notice upon the unsafe building.
A copy of the notice served as provided herein shall be filed in the office of the County Clerk of the County of Fulton.
In the event of the refusal or neglect of the person so notified to comply with said order of the Town Board and after the hearing, the Town Board shall provide for the demolition and removal of such building or structure either by town employees or by contract. Except in emergency as provided in Section 10 hereof, any contract for demolition and removal of a building in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be awarded through competitive bidding.
All expenses incurred by the town in connection with the proceedings to repair and secure or demolish and remove the unsafe building, including the cost of actually removing such building, shall be assessed against the land on which such building is located and shall be levied and collected in the same manner as provided in Article 15 of the Town Law for the levy and collection of a special ad valorem levy.
Where it reasonably appears that there is present a clear and imminent danger to the life, safety or health of any person or property unless an unsafe building is immediately repaired and secured or demolished, the Town Board may by resolution authorize the Code Enforcement Office to immediately cause the repair or demolition of such unsafe building. The expenses of such repair or demolition shall be a charge against the land on which said building is located and shall be assessed, levied and collected as provided in Section 9 hereof.
The engineer, architect, or practical builder appointed as provided herein shall be paid reasonable compensation as shall be fixed by the Town Board.
Copyright © James McMartin Long 2017–2024