Upton approves nuisance property bylaw and holds bylaw on canines

After a debate which lasted close to an hour at the annual town meeting, Upton voters approved Article 10 which amends the town bylaws to include a nuisance property bylaw.

The Board of Selectman together with the Board of Health developed the bylaw for the purpose of establishing a process to address properties that are determined to be unsanitary or contribute to the creation of a hazardous or blighted area that would adversely affect the public health and safety or property value of adjacent or surrounding properties.

Selectman Chair Bob Fleming advised creating the bylaw allows the town to handle bad situations in a non criminal way.

Resident Joe McMahon was concerned about the reach of the bylaw, “The overview makes it look like you are protecting the town but it’s really a way to attack your neighbor.” He went on to say that if someone is having a dispute with their neighbor they could report them or trash their yard while they are on vacation so they could be fined.

Selectman Jim Brochu said, “We are not looking to be the grass police. If a complaint is personal or ridiculous no action would be taken.”

Voters had an issue with the language in the bylaw regarding materials involving landscaping projects and voted to remove the following text from the proposed by law;  “gravel, rocks, and dirt piles stored by the owner for purposes of construction and/or landscaping and said item(s) remain stored for more than twelve months upon the owner’s premises.”

Selectman Fleming said the town will work with residents who have issues with their properties because of a hardship. One resident had said his neighbor has a tarp on her roof because that is all she can afford. Fleming said he was well aware of who that was and the town is working with that property.

At times the comments were off topic. One resident ended his statement by stating, “I’m disappointed I don’t have a beaver.”

Article 10 passed by a majority.

The town voted to hold Article 11, which makes changes to the Animal Control bylaw,  until the reconvened meeting schedule for June 4.

After a thirty minute discussion about when dogs should be permitted on school properties, which is just one part of the Article, Town Moderator Dave Loeper advised those who want to amend the bylaw should visit the town clerks office and speak with the Board of Health.  He moved to hold the article until June 4. The town agreed.