The city of Oconto Falls plans to address properties that need improvement while it holds its annual spring cleanup, officials told the city council at its regular monthly meeting March 11.
The Recycle Center on Pioneer Drive plans to host spring cleanup during regular operating hours, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays, between April 15 and April 26.
Items accepted include yard waste, furniture and appliances, with fees charged for tires, appliances with Freon, air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers.
The city also plans to offer leaf pickup and brush chipping starting April 14 and continuing through April 25. Residents are asked to place leaves within 3 feet of the curb.
The city plans to continue its “Beautify Oconto Falls” efforts through May 15, City Administrator Peter Wills said.
Potential issues include inoperable or unregistered vehicles parked on a property for 30 days or more, debris, garbage, brush, tree limbs, appliances in a yard, unkempt trees or shrubs and unmowed lawns, according to a flyer distributed by the city.
“We try to do this every spring, and it’s the same culprits every year,” Police Chief Brad Olsen said.
Wills said the council has armed city officials with new tools to convince property owners to clean up, including the potential for fines that increase if there is no improvement.
“That’s one of the things from when we passed the garbage ordinance,” Wills said. “If we have some of those that we know are just chronic, we’ve got a chronic system to address that.”
The city plans to review property conditions such as roof issues or problems with siding or unsafe stairs, railings, porches or decks. Violators can expect a letter indicating the problem, with a 30- to 60-day notice to correct the violations.
Understanding that some repairs are costly, the city says it will work with property owners on limited extensions to correct more extensive violations.
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
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