Property Owners Who Haven't Cleaned Up Get Heard This Week

Last year, the Village of Dorchester kicked off its new Nuisance Abatement Program to encourage residents to clean up their unsightly properties. Dorchester officials are working with Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) to help identify and notify resident of potential violations. 

The first area of town assessed was the area between 7th Street to 11th Street and Washington Avenue to West Line.  To date, most owners of properties requiring clean-up have responded properly.  However, some have not, while others are still objecting to the clean-up notice.  

This week, special meetings are being held for property owners who have not complied with the clean-up orders, as well as those who feel they have been unfairly targeted.  The meetings will include elected officials on the village board, as well as the village's legal representation.

In the meantime, residents in all areas of town are encouraged to keep their properties maintained.  Common concerns include unlicensed vehicles (including yard and boat trailers), auto parts, dead trees, brush, lumber and trash.

The village board will review properties with continued nuisance concerns at their regular board meetings.  For those properties not cleared, formal action may be taken and the property could be declared a nuisance by the board.  SENDD is the designated nuisance officer for this project.

One village leader, a business owner, told us that he agrees with the clean-up effort being conducted by village officials.  He added that he hopes people don't forget all of the improvements that have been made across town in the past few years.