FT eyes unkept lawns

(by Rachel Scofield - June 18, 2009)

If Franklin Township trustees determine an unkempt lawn to be a nuisance, the township will mow the property, then assess the owner for the labor.

Per House Bill 50, townships can send the owner and lien holders of a nuisance property certified letters requesting they fix their property. Seven days after they sign for the letter, if the problem has not been rectified, the township may intervene.

If the property owner does not sign for the certified letter, a police officer will tape the notice to the front door. The officer will snap a photo of the notice using a camera with a time and date stamp. Seven days later, the township will act.

Among the expenses incurred by the township to mow these properties are gas, the hourly wages of the road department workers, and police hours.

“It’s a couple of hundred dollars an hour,” said Trustee Tim Guyton. “We are not allowed to make any money – just pass through costs.”

On June 12, road supervisor Jim Stevens sent 16 notices.

“We have had a couple of residents call in and say they will go ahead and mow their property so we do not have to do it,” Stevens said.

Currently Franklin Township will only mow grass. Additionally, the law allows for townships to clear garbage and dispose of unused vehicles.

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