Local resident Zack Brown is expected to appear before Municipal Court Judge Leahey, Jr. on Tuesday, July 23 to respond to a complaint of “property maintenance.” Weeds
Brown, who with his wife, Morgan Spicer, is a regular attendee at Borough Council meetings.. During then public portion at last week’s meeting, he appealed to the council to look into “Chapter 265 and amend the code to make it more clear so a resident would know what he is charged with and make amendments to have the code meet its specific purpose.
Mayor Lori Hohenleitner, who enabled Brown to explain his distress and consternation in detail, and expressed happiness that Brown had received a conciliatory note after the summons was delivered to his home on Victorian Woods Drive, turned his recommendation for a review of the Property Maintenance ordinance to the Green Tree and Environmental commissions.
But Brown still faces a court appearance at 3 p.m. July 23, and if found guilty, could face a fine, he said of up to $2,000 as well as a jail term.
The resident, who with Spicer ran unsuccessfully for seats on council several years ago as independents, told the governing body during the meeting he was shocked by the violation notice, can not understand specifically how code enforcement officer Richard Colangelo says he is violating the law, and pointed out how he has participated in No Mow May for two years, the local program calling for permitting grass and weeds to grow and bloom in order to provide food and shelter for essential pollinators early in the season.
Brown and Spicer are both dedicated environmentalists and have volunteered both time and talent to keeping borough residents informed on numerous ways to protect, enhance, or preserve the environment. Both are also active in numerous volunteer efforts for the environment, arts and culture as well as keeping informed on municipal activities.
Brown also said he maintains small portions of his property as “micro meadows” small sections where he encourages the growth of environmentally healthy and productive growth of flowers and plants.
Yet the summons he received is not specific in what the resident violated, so Brown is not exactly sure how he is able to defend the charge.
Chapter 265 Property Maintenance: is a four-page section of the local code that covers everything from removal of brush and debris and prohibiting invasive plants to setting the height and distance of brush and hedgers from roadways.
Brown said the code enforcement officer noted he issued the complaint in response to a neighborhood complaint but did not identify any specific person.
Brown received a form letter from Colangelo on June 1 thanking him for participating in No Mow May to help the local pollinator species, But the notice then added that all properties within the borough must adhere to Ordinance. 265 and maintain grass on the entirety of their property. The notice then directed him to have his property mowed no later than Jun 15.
It was June 16 that Brown got the summons which is bringing him into court on July 23.
