Town announces Cleanup Committee

Council Representative to the Planning Commission Will Faust and Mayor Ed Glode introduced a newly formed Cleanup Committee to the Saratoga Planning Commission at the commissions Jan. 12 meeting.

The Cleanup Committee will include eight members including police officers, elected and appointed town officials and town staff. Members are chief of police Thomas Knickerbocker, captain Robert Bifano, sergeant Ken Lehr, zoning officer Kent Smith, director of public works Jon Winter, chairman of the Upper Platte River Solid Waste District board Randy Raymer, councilman Will Faust and mayor Ed Glode.

Faust discussed the recent master plan survey data which indicated cleaning up the town was of the highest importance to town residents. “What our initial thought was that most of the folks on this (commission) did not sign up to go pound on doors and explain to their neighbors why they need to be fixing something up. We see this (commission) as more of the policy mover, that as we see issues that need to be addressed on the ordinance side and for an overall direction of ‘Where do we need to head?’”

The Cleanup Committee is to focus on the enforcement of codes and zoning ordinances according to Faust. Faust also said that the members of the committee importantly include law enforcement which is already embedded in the community and is aware of local issues, coordination with the landfill and senior town officials who represent the government’s authority.

Mayor Glode said they are looking at whether or not to enforce codes without a complaint. They are also addressing the differences between criminal and civil law violations. The cleanup committee will also look into the need to review and revise the nuisance ordinance as written.

“We are not looking at a confrontational approach to this,” Glode said, adding that Bifano has had experience with similar enforcement in Lovell where they started with informational letters about compliance issues.

“I’d just like to say I think it’s an excellent plan. You know that kind of attitude towards this is what I have wanted for a long, long time,” commission chairman Rory Grubb said. “We all know that it is something that people care about and we get a lot of comments on the condition of the town.”

The planning commission also held their yearly election of chairperson and vice chairperson. Grubb was elected as the chair of the commission and Karl Smith will serve as the vice chair.

The commission also continued discussion of ordinances related to home occupations, residential uses in the retail business district and amending the municipal code to be consistent in defining accessory uses and special permit uses of properties.

The next regular meeting of the Saratoga Planning Commission is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Saratoga Town Hall.