Walden Mayor Bill TrohanisAfter hiring a code enforcement officer about four months ago, the town of Walden is seeing fewer ordinance violations, according to Mayor Bill Trohanis.
The town decided to hire code enforcement officer Dan Maxwell after receiving complaints from citizens about abandoned homes which the town was unable to resolve. Through his expertise in the field, Maxwell, who also works for the city of Lakesite, was able to resolve those violations along with others, such as junk vehicles and debris in the roadway, said Trohanis.
Maxwell comes to Walden once a month to investigate violations, and informs citizens either in person or by letter of violations on their property. Citizens are then given a generous amount of time, which varies based on the situation, to correct the violation, Trohanis said.
"All situations have been very amicable and all residents have been very cooperative," said Trohanis.
Maxwell gives the town's board of aldermen a monthly report containing the number and types of violations identified, as well as how many have been resolved.
In December, he reported 13 violations, including junk cars - some of which had been eyesores for years - and debris such as brush left in the roadway. Trohanis said many property owners are unaware that the town does not provide brush pickup.
Two-thirds of last month's violations have been resolved, and Maxwell has yet to fine a resident for noncompliance, added Trohanis.
"We've really seen a difference," he said.
Citizens are encouraged to report code violations by calling Town Hall at 886-4362. Trohanis said the town plans to add its ordinances, including codes, to its new website at waldentn.gov.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.