Orange plastic fence owner ordered to appear in court

A trial date of Nov. 18 has been set for the owner of 19 Warwick St. because he failed to totally comply with an order issued under the town’s ‘dangerous and unsightly’ act.

Special Constable Richard Parry says originally there were a couple of problems with the property. It has a larger fence that had to be upgraded to make it safe. There was also some debris that needed to be picked up. While those concerns have been addressed, the property owner has not removed the orange plastic fence as ordered.

Parry says town property actually extends to 33 feet from the centre of most streets in Digby, so technically, the orange fence extends onto town property.

Parry visually inspects properties when the town receives a complaint that a property is unsightly, or if there is an element to the property that could be considered dangerous. He said he also drives around town in the spring, with a couple of members of council and the town clerk or deputy clerk to look at properties. In both situations, Parry reports to town council.

This year, in addition to the orange plastic fence, the town has responded to complaints about derelict vehicles, a shed that was falling down, and a deserted property where no one was cutting the grass.

Parry said typically a letter is sent to the owners of ‘dangerous or unsightly properties,’ and they are given a time frame—usually 30 days—to clean up their properties. If this doesn’t happen there is the option of remedying the situation and billing the property owner, or taking the property owner to court.

In this case, town council decided court action was appropriate.