Letters urge compliance for a cleaner town

Friday, July 14, 2006

Bainbridge residents might start checking their mailboxes for letters from town officials asking them to clean up their properties.

The Bainbridge Town Council on Wednesday approved the draft of a new letter concerning weeds, vehicles and nuisance properties.

At last month's meeting, several town residents came to the board meeting to complain about being told by Marshal Rodney Fenwick they needed to take care of their weeds and the public nuisances.

Although these issues were solved at the meeting, the issue of confronting the town remained the same.

Mike Smith told board members Naomi Barker and Richard Cope that he was tired of being blamed for picking on the town when he sends Fenwick out to do his job. He also does not want the same thing to happen to the other board members.

The new letter says, "In an effort to improve the cleanliness, health and safety in our town, officials from the Town of Bainbridge will begin increased enforcement of Indiana and Town Code that pertains to weed control, abandoned vehicles and nuisance properties."

All residents and property owners in Bainbridge are receiving advanced notification to allow for compliance time. Maintenance of the properties within the town must be completed by Tuesday Aug. 15, and failure to do so may result in fines and legal action.

"Everybody in town gets a fair warning," said Smith.

The letter also informs residents that the codes will be strictly enforced and if the residents do not take care of the problems, the board/town will.

Barker asked Smith how would the residents and the board judge it to be clean enough. Smith replied, "Common sense."

Copies of the Indiana and town codes are available to the public in the Clerk-Treasurer's office in the community center.

The town council urges all residents to assist them in the attempt to improve the quality of life for all who reside in Bainbridge.

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