(A) Service of written citation. The town shall serve a written citation, notifying the owner of a blighted premises of the violation(s) of this subchapter, to the owner's last-known address by certified mail, return receipt requested. Such citation shall inform the owner of the following:
(1) Amount of fine. The allegations against the owner and the amount of fines;
(2) Contesting the penalty. That the owner may contest the issue of liability before the town's duly appointed citation hearing officer by delivering, in person or by mail, written notice to the Town Planner and/or other official designated by the Mayor, within ten calendar days from the date of the citation(s);
(3) Admission of liability. That if the owner does not demand such a hearing in accordance with this section, the owner shall be deemed to have admitted liability; and
(4) Lien for unpaid blight fines. That the Town shall file a lien against the real property in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat., § 7-148aa, for the amount of any unpaid blight fine imposed by the town in accordance with this subchapter, and that the lien may be enforced in the same manner as tax liens.
(B) Penalty for violations of blighted premises (“blight-related penalty”). Blight violations as set forth in § 154.35(B) or other applicable provisions, shall be punishable as follows:
(1) Occupied blighted premises. A fine of $150 for each day a violation exists and continues.
(2) Unoccupied blighted premises. A fine of $250 for each day a violation exists and continues.
(3) Three or more violations at blighted premises. A fine of $1,000 for each day that a violation exists and continues if such violation is the third or more such violation at such property during the prior 12-month period at the blighted premises.
(4) Standard for determination of three or more violations pursuant to § 154.36
(B)(3). For the sole purpose of determining if a violation is the third or more such violation at such property during the prior 12-month period, “VIOLATION” means a violation of this subchapter, for which the town has issued a notice of violation, and:
(i) In the determination of the town, the conditions creating such violation were previously cured; or
(ii) One hundred twenty days have passed from the notice of violation and the conditions creating the violation have not been cured.
A third violation may also be established where three or more conditions constituting such violation exist at a property simultaneously.
(Am. Ord. 74, passed 3-4-24)