Essex Selectmen Discussing Possible Anti-Blight Ordinance

By Charles Stannard

ESSEX– The Board of Selectmen began discussion of a possible town anti-blight ordinance Wednesday in the final meeting of the board’s current two-year term.

It was the last meeting for Selectman Vin Pacileo, who was out-polled in Tuesday’s election by his running-mate, Republican First Selectman candidate Joel Marzi. Marzi received 1,061 votes to Pacileo’s 1,041 in an election where Democrat First Selectman Phil Miller and Democratic Selectman Norman Needleman were re-elected for a fourth term. Pacileo has served on the board since 2003. Miller, Needleman and Marzi will take office for the 2009-2011 term on Nov. 10.

Miller said he was raising the proposed anti-blight ordinance at the request of several residents who live near three vacant homes that remain standing after being severely damaged by fires over the past two years. One of the damaged homes is in the Ivoryton section, two are in Essex.

Miller said he is reviewing several anti-blight ordinances from Connecticut cities and towns that were provided by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. Miller said he would favor an ordinance that includes a penalty if the property owner does not respond to repeated town requests to clean up a property.

The board agreed to resume a discussion of the proposed anti-blight ordinance at its Nov. 18 meeting, after Marzi has joined the board. An anti-blight ordinance would require approval from voters at a town meeting.

LocalOnlineNews.TV reported on Guilford’s anti-blight ordinance this past February. Watch our video story below: