City Council discusses, will vote on new local law allowing Code Inspectors to issue fines for housing violations...
The Jamestown City Council will vote in two weeks on a new ordinance that will allow code enforcement officers to hand out fines for minor housing violations. City Development Director Crystal Surdyk outlined the measure for both the Housing and Public Safety Committees... including the kinds of violations her code enforcement people can ticket. She says they include: animal maintenance and waste, exterior junk and debris, high weeds or grass, unauthorized motor vehicles, prohibited burns. Some residents on hand complained about the number of vehicles parked on the terrace and in yards in the city. Surdyk says the ordinance is designed to take more minor "quality of Life" matters out of housing court... which can be a lengthy process. House Committee Chairwoman Marie Carrubba says the idea is to get homeowners and others to comply with the law. There was some discussion about how to deal with tree issues because... unless the tree is in the terrace... or there are limbs into of over the terrace on the street... there's not much that can be done.
Residents express numerous "quality of life" complaints during public comment at work session...
Discussion about the new ordinance allowing code enforcement officers to issue fines for minor housing violations came after much public discussion about the need for that. Resident Rosanne Himes says she and her husband have lived in their current home for 43 years... but, they've seen their neighborhood go "downhill" in recent times. Himes says it's "frustrating" because they're complained numerous times. She says a neighbor has put in a swimming pool without required permits, there are unregistered vehicles, and people are not "scooping their dogs crap." Other complaints ranged from ongoing fireworks issues... to many cars illegally parked. Another resident... Melissa Paterniti... complained about the number of homes that are still standing that have had multiple fire calls to them. Paterniti says some have sat vacant for "3 or 4 years." There were also complaints about often reaching Department of Development staff voice mails... and, not getting follow through from them. Corporation Counsel Eliot Raimando noted that one code officer had 75 voice mail complaints Monday morning alone.
Westfield area resident killed when riding mower is struck by pick-up in town of Portland Monday...
A Westfield area resident has been killed after their riding mower pulled onto Barnes Rd. in the town of Portland early Monday afternoon... and, was struck by a pick-up truck. Sheriff's officers say they were called to the scene -- near Prospect Station Rd. -- a few minutes after 12 Noon... and learned the mower entered the roadway from the north shoulder... and, directly into the path of the westbound pick-up truck... which was towing a mower. Deputies say the operator of the pick-up truck did try to stop and avoid the riding mower... but, was unable to do so. Officers say the operator of the riding mower was seriously hurt... and, succumbed to those injuries at a local hospital. Deputies say the names of both people involved are being withheld at this time to allow for proper notifications. Additional information will be released at a later date.
Schmidt hoping to present case against Burham to county Grand Jury soon...
The prime suspect in the murder of a Jamestown woman is back in custody after a nine-day manhunt in Warren County, Pa. But Michael Burham is now being held in Erie County, Pa. prison -- not the Warren County Jail where he made his escape on July 6 by repelling down the walls with a makeshift rope made with bedsheets. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says that is probably due to an ongoing "criminal investigation" into the escape. Burham is a suspect in the May 11 homicide of 34-year-old Kala Hodgkin. Schmidt says he's among the people who are relieved that Burham is no longer on the run... because the safety of local witnesses were in jeopardy. However... he was caught and "nobody was harmed." Meanwhile... Schmidt says he continued to work on the murder case while Burham was on the run. Chautauqua County's top prosecutor expects to be a position to present a case to a grand jury "in about a month."
Boil water and Water Conservation orders in effect for Brocton-Portland water customers...
A boil water... and water conservation order has been issued for water customers in the village of Brocton... and town of Portland customers -- south of Interstate 90. The Chautauqua County Health Department issued the order late Monday... noting that all water to be used for drinking and cooking should be boiled first... or you should use bottled water. Health Department officials say water pressure in several areas of Brocton and Portland is low due to multiple water main breaks Monday morning. Some customers may not have any water at all. Water District staff have located the source of the break and are in the process of fixing the problem. However... all water customers in these areas must boil their water until further notice. Water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and making coffee must be brought to a rolling boil for one minute then cooled prior to use. The Health Department is also requiring all customers to please limit their water usage by 50% until further notice. For more information, contact the Village of Brocton at (716) 792-4160 or the Town of Portland at 792-9614.
