Opponents said the proposed zoning revision "goes too far."
LUDLOW — Voters at the fall special Town Meeting on Monday voted down an article that would require property owners to maintain vacant or unkempt properties.
Selectman William Rooney said the article was proposed to protect property values and to promote the health and well being of residents by keeping down the risk of fire and break-ins. Rooney said the town has had a problem with properties that have been foreclosed upon.
“If the bank or mortgage company that holds the property is out of town, there is no incentive to clean the property up,” Rooney said. “I would urge passage of this.”
Joseph Santos, a town meeting member, said he opposed the article because he is concerned that it “goes too far.” He said he does not want to see the building inspector going up and down side streets because somebody has leaves or debris in their backyards.
“What if somebody has issues in their family such as sickness that are keeping him from cleaning up the property?” Santos asked.
Raymond Phoenix, chairman of the Planning Board, said he has a back injury that could prevent him from cleaning up parts of his property. Phoenix said he opposed the revised ordinance.
Selectman Aaron Saunders said there are property owners who can’t rent properties because of toilets and overgrown grass in the front yard of a neighboring property. He said the ordinance is needed so the town can require property owners to clean up unkempt properties.
The proposed article failed to win approval by a show of hands.
Also at the Monday special Town Meeting, voters approved revised language of a bylaw that allows senior citizens to qualify for $500 off their property tax bill in return for working volunteer hours for the town.