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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Jonathan<br>
<br>
Again with the spin. The first published notice about Ordinance
2014-OR-01 was contained in the Town Crier which was delivered
January 29, 2014. The notice was only a Fair Summary, not a full
copy of the Ordinance.<br>
<br>
I was hoping that my Council Member would join in on this
discussion, but I guess he and the other Council Members want to
remain silent.<br>
<br>
Your rationalization of correcting a problem with the Town Code to
avoid a legal battle is lackadaisical. <br>
<br>
Your proposed ordinance has no mention about section 36-9(d) of
the Town Code which allows for the use of chain-link fence for
enclosing dumpsters. If you can enclose a dumpster with a
chain-link fence, why can't the residents use chain-link fence to
enclose their back and side yards?<br>
<br>
<br>
Town Code 36-9<br>
(d) All special refuse containers or "dumpsters" (except those
temporarily placed on a property due to construction, renovation,
or rehabilitation), whether or not serviced by independent or
commercial agencies, shall <b>be screened on up to three sides by
an enclosure consisting of chain link fence with woven slats</b>,
stockade-type or board-on-board fence, or other similar type
screening enclosure constructed from chain link, painted or
treated wood, or other materials approved by the Council, and
shall be of sufficient height and type so as to block or screen
the special refuse container or dumpster from street-level view.
Gates in the fence or enclosure shall be kept closed whenever the
special refuse container or dumpster is not being loaded or
unloaded. Waiver of any or all of the requirements of this
subsection may be approved by the Council upon application for
special refuse containers or dumpsters that are not visible from
public therefore or which under the circumstances cannot be
practically screened.<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>I again ask that a vote on this ordinance be tabled to allow
for comments from the residents.</b><b><br>
</b><b><br>
</b><br>
J. Holmes<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On 2/1/2014 1:18 PM, Jonathan Ebbeler wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal">James –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is an inaccurate statement to say that
the proposed Ordinance was only made public within the last
several days. It, by law, has to and was read into the record
at a televised public meeting on 1/6/2014. It was also
discussed at length at the next publically broadcasted meeting
last Monday. The record on this Ordinance has been open for
comment for a month not for the several days purported. If
changes are requested to how Ordinances are presented, please
work with your CM to draft a charter amendment to this end.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As has been illustrated, there is no
economic or other burden placed upon any resident through this
Ordinance. The Ordinance does not require any resident to do
anything or incur any costs. The only impact the Ordinance
could have is upon allowable material of new side and rear
fences. As has been presented there are numerous materials
that are routinely used in town that are at par for cost or
actually cheaper – so what burden precisely does the Ordinance
create economic or otherwise?
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I understand that you hold an opinion that
regulations should be driven by a need or public safety but I
believe the current law disagrees with this interpretation.
As stated before, a primary role of Council is to minimize
risk of lawsuits since the cost is a public burden. Removing
ambiguity in the code and situations where Council is forced
to interpret on a case-by-case and potentially contradictory
manner is part of the obligation of being “necessary for the
good government of the town.”
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I do my best to answer your questions in a
direct and straightforward manner. I disagreed with the
premise presented for the how/why Ordinances may be introduced
and pointed to the section of law that governs the question.
I respect that you consider referencing the Charter as spin,
but that section and others are what Council swears an oath of
office to uphold and I believe contradicts the need/safety
premise presented. Potential conflict of interpretation
leaves the town open to litigation, it is not a question of
if, but when we end up spending taxpayer money defending a
situation that could be administratively addressed through
Ordinance. If you disagree with my premise or opinion, please
indicate what part of Section 301 requires the limited
interpretation claimed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Respectfully,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jonathan<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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