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Blight Initiative

WDC has taken on a Blight Initiative on behalf of the City of Waterbury.  The goal of this initiative is to enhance neighborhood vitality through removing debris and over grown vegetation, securing structurally sound buildings, and demolish those that are not sound.  A cleaner neighborhood will instill pride and foster reinvestment!

We work with the Citizens Service Center in an effort to address complaints using sound judgement and resources provided by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development through its Community Development Block Grant and Neighborhood Initiative programs.

All complaints are registered with the Citizens Service Center by calling (203) 597-3444.

Cleanup
When we receive a complaint filed with the Citizens Service Center that does not involve private property, we address it immediately.  For complaints on private property, the first step is to make every attempt to locate the property owner.  When the property owner is located, the following steps are followed:

  • Police Department or WDC issues verbal warning
  • Clean-up letter issued on sight
  • Clean-up letter mailed to property owner
  • Litter ticket is issued and a $100 fine must be paid.  The ticket may be appealed in writing to the Litter commission.  A ticket and/or summons can be issued at any time.
  • Summons issued by the Police has a court date within 7-14 days from time of issuance.  Summons issued under the City's Litter Ordinance, Chapter 131 of the City's Charter and under the State Statute 7-148 will be held at Housing Court which occurs every Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Superior Court, 300 Grand Street.
  • The Police Officer and Neighborhood Re-Investment Specialist are expected to testify in Housing Court providing any pertinent evidence of littering and/or illegal dumping.
  • If the owner is not found or does not appear in Court, a Clean & Lien notice is issued and the owner has 30 days to clean and remove said debris.  If the owner does not comply, WDC's Hot Team will clean & lien the property for all costs.

Securing
Staff from WDC identifies vacant properties that seem structurally sound but not secure.  In these cases, the Building Inspector sends the property owner an order to secure the building.  If the owner does not comply within 72 hours, the Mayor will issue a letter for us to proceed with securing of the property and the Police Department issues summons for the owner to appear in Housing Court.

Demolition
WDC identifies vacant properties that seem structurally unsound or beyond rehabilitation.  Properties that are in danger of collapsing are considered an Emergency Demolition as determined by the Building Official or the Director of Health.  Emergency Demolitions are completed using a list of demolition contractors pre-approved by the City's Purchasing Director.  Properties that are not in danger of collapsing proceed through the following steps:

  • Work with the City to prioritize a list of properties in order of safety and future plans for the property
  • Notify owners as to their responsibility to demolish the properties
  • If owners prove their inability to pay for demolition of their property, they are asked to sign a release for demolition.  If owners are not located, refuse to sign the release, or choose not to proceed with demolition; The Building Official or Health Director may condemn the properties.  The property may also be taken by eminent domain by the City.
  • Demolition projects are sent out to bid and awarded to a contractor by the City's Director of Purchasing.  The demolition project is then contracted by WDC.  Liens are placed on the property.