Encampment gets into the weeds

Discussion during the most recent meeting of the Encampment Town Council went into the weeds, quite literally, as Encampment resident Janice White raised concerns about lots in town that had weeds and tall grass. White also expressed worry about lots that were littered with abandoned vehicles, refrigerators and other items.

“The last time I was here, we were discussing weeds and tall grass and I think Bill (Craig) was going to see if we had an ordinance on that already on the books,” said White.

Craig informed White that he had checked the town code, but had only found a nuisance ordinance for the Town of Encampment.

“It’s for properties in such disrepair that they could be a hazard for somebody,” said Craig.

“Okay, so there’s no definitive one for grass and weeds?” asked White.

“Nothing says that you have to keep it mowed and cleaned,” Craig replied.

White informed the town council that she believed that the Town of Encampment should pass an ordinance regarding weeds and tall grass. She added that it was important to have an ordinance on the books as additional part-time residents move into the town.

“I’m coming from a health and safety issue. I think when you have property where the weeds are tall, I think that it’s a place for rodents, it’s a place for animals that carry disease. It’s a fire hazard,” said White. “I know that if my neighbors didn’t mow their lawn and their grass was up to my knees, I would be concerned in these dry years.”

Mayor Greg Salisbury asked White if she was concerned about the vacant lots or only the parcels with a house. White replied that her concern was with absentee owners or those that weren’t taking care of their property. She also read from an ordinance from the Town of Dixon that addressed weeds and tall grass.

“All weeds defined as noxious by the Wyoming board of agriculture or the Wyoming weed and pest council, and all weeds or tall grasses within the town limits, which exceed a height of eight inches (8”) are a nuisance unless cultivated for aesthetic purposes,” the ordinance reads. “Trees, flowers, or other ornamental plants are not to be considered a nuisance except as they may constitute obstructions.”

“The Town of Dixon sends out two letters and then they actually have their penalties listed in the nuisance ordinance also,” said White. “I really feel that this is going to get to be a huge issue.”

The discussion moved from weeds to properties that could pose a significant risk to public health. White asked what the Town of Encampment could do if a property had refrigerators, freezers, dead animals or abandoned vehicles. Under Chapter 9 of the Encampment Town Code, it reads that it is a misdemeanor for anyone to leave a refrigerator or any other container in a place accessible to children if it has a door or locking device that cannot be opened from the inside.

“We do have a police officer that will enforce some of the ordinances. As far as, like if it falls under a .. safety thing like doors on the refrigerators, then, yes, we can address that. As far as people’s stuff in the yards, we’ve been fighting that for 15-20 years,” said Salisbury. “Just because you don’t like it, if it’s on their property there’s not a lot we can do about it unless it does become a safety issue. Who is going to deem what is safe and what is not? That is a very, very gray line.”

Before moving on, Salisbury asked White to present a list of properties to the town that she thought posed a health or safety hazard.

The next meeting of the Encampment Town Council will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 10 at Encampment Town Hall.