Polson residents must keep property clear of weeds, debris
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Due to the wet season we are having, the grass and weeds are going to grow and become a problem before we know it. Every year tall grass and weeds become a problem for this community; as the tall grass and weeds dry out they become a fire hazard.
We will be sending notices out a lot earlier this year due to the problems we have had in the past. We will start looking at properties in the Polson city limits starting in May. Your neighbors have been complaining and they have a valid concern. Last year’s fire up in the Ridgewater subdivision had many concerned.
When the grass and weeds grow as tall as three feet they become a real danger to other properties and to the fire fighters that will be called to bring this under control. These types of fires can and do get out of control very quickly. As the weather changes and winds start to dry the grass and weeds out, the flames of the fire will get taller. This in turn causes preheating of the combustibles in front and ignition of those items will happen sooner. This causes the fire to grow very rapidly.
There is an ordinance about keeping your property cleaned and clear of tall grass and weeds and other debris. The City ordinance number is 7.04.060 Keeping Property Clean: “It shall be the duty of the owner, agent, occupant or lessee of the property to keep premises free of litter, rubbish, garbage and un-kept foliage, including but not limited to weeds and uncut grass. This requirement applies not only to loose litter, but also to materials that already are or become trapped at such locations as fence and wall bases, grassy or planted areas, borders, embankments and other lodging points.
Persons whose properties face on municipal sidewalks and boulevards are responsible for keeping that portion of the sidewalks and boulevards adjacent to their property free of garbage, litter and rubbish. The same responsibility extends to properties that face alleys. It shall be unlawful to sweep or push litter from sidewalks and boulevards into streets. It shall be the duty of every owner of a vacant property to keep that property free of litter, rubbish, garbage and un-kept foliage, including but not limited to weeds and uncut grass.”
Many of the citizens of Polson work very hard on keeping their property looking nice. Please be more considerate of your neighbors and clean up your property.
When working on cleaning up your property please consider the alley behind your property because others have to look at the mess in the back of your property. The alley is also a service lane for many emergency agencies.
Please prune up the trees and bushes so that the view triangle entering the street is good. Trees need to be pruned up to at least 14 feet. Please haul away all the blowing garbage and other stuff that will end up in your neighbor’s yard.
Please take the time to work around your property and get it cleaned up. I have received numerous complaints already and will start enforcement of the City ordinance in May. An owner will receive a letter regarding the complaint and will have 10 days to take care of the matter. If the problem is not taken care of in 10 days, someone will be hired to take care of the problem and a bill will be attached to the tax statement you receive and a citation may also be issued. If you receive a citation, penalties are stepped up over time and fines increase.
