Chapter 54

BRUSH, GRASS AND WEEDS

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Chestertown 3-19-1973 (Article 11, Section 11.5, of the 1973 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Garbage and trash removal -- See Ch. 85.

~ 54-1. Maintenance of property free from weeds or noxious matter required.

No owner of any lot, place or area within the town or the agent of such owner shall permit on such lot, place or area or upon any sidewalk abutting the same any weeds, grass or deleterious, unhealthful growths or other noxious matter that may be growing, lying or located thereon.

~ 54-2. Removal of weeds or noxious matter; notification.

The Mayor and Council are hereby authorized and empowered to notify, in writing, the owner of any such lot, place or area within the town or the agent of such owner to cut, destroy and/or remove any such weeds, grass or deleterious, unhealthful growths or other noxious matter found growing, lying or located on such owner's property or upon the sidewalk abutting the same. Such notice shall be served by registered mail and addressed to said owner or agent of said owner at his last known address.

~ 54-3. Noncompliance with notice; subsequent action and costs.

A. Noncompliance; removal by town. Upon the failure, neglect or refusal of any owner or agent so notified to cut, destroy and/or remove weeds, grass or deleterious, unhealthful growths or other noxious matter growing, lying or located upon such owner's property or upon the sidewalk abutting the same within ten (10) days after receipt of the written notice provided for in ~ 54-2 of this chapter or within five (5) days after the date of such notice in the event the same is returned to the town post office because of its inability to make delivery thereof, provided that the same was properly addressed to the last known address of such owner or agent, the Mayor and Council is hereby authorized and empowered to pay for the cutting, destroying and/or removal of such weeds, grass or deleterious, unhealthful growths or other noxious matter or to order the removal by the town.

B. Payment of costs. When the town has effected the removal of such obnoxious growths or has paid for their removal, the actual cost thereof, plus accrued interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum from the date of the completion of the work, if not paid by such owner prior thereto shall be charged to the owner of such property on the next regular tax bill forwarded to such owner by the town, and said charge shall be due and payable by said owner at the time of payment of such tax bill.

~ 54-4. Violations and penalties.

A. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Code of Ordinances shall be deemed to be guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined as specified in ~ C11-4B of the Charter of the Town of Chestertown.

B. Each day that such violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.