March 19, 2024

City should enforce existing ordinances

Ben Miller

Newton

Recently the city council approved measures to include unenclosed porches/decks to be free of garbage and trash to improve aesthetics. As I do agree that garbage/trash is not pleasing to look at. I urge the city to enforce the nuisance ordinances already in place instead of adding new ones.

I know personally on my street alone, East Seventh Street South, there are more than eight properties not aligned with city code. There are cars parked in yards (not on hard surfaces), grills located within 25 feet within an apartment building, tall grass, overgrowth, etc. all against city code. Why don’t we start with enforcing the existing 432-page city code?