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FITCHBURG >> In March, the city of Fitchburg Health Department began the implementation and enforcement of a city code that will provide inspectors with new enforcement tools to combat unhealthy properties and conditions of blight throughout the city.

The city’s Problem Property Task Force has been working collaboratively to address problem properties for over a decade in order to improve the quality of life for residents, neighborhoods and businesses. And the new city code recently enacted provides city inspectors with a more streamlined system to issue fines for housing and sanitary problems.

In 2022, the City Council adopted Chapter 139 which is an ordinance that outlines a new fine procedure for noncriminal violations also known as municipal fines. The method of fining will expedite the enforcement process of violations of the Massachusetts state sanitary code and city ordinances related to housing and sanitary issues.

“This initiative will provide new enforcement tools for Inspectors in the Health Department regarding properties that contain trash and debris (including but not limited to bulky items and litter), trash carts improperly stored on properties or at curbside, overflowing trash and recycling carts, properties containing overgrown vegetation, failure to register a vacant property, and failure to maintain properties according to applicable codes and regulations, are some examples,” according to Stephen D. Curry, director of public health, in regards to the enforcement methods provided by Chapter 139 of the city code adopted by the Fitchburg City Council.

In addition, 40U allows a municipality to establish a process according to Massachusetts general laws to report unpaid fines. Unpaid fines can wind up as charges on property taxes, which stiffens the penalty for those who choose to ignore the enforcement efforts.

Mayor Samantha Squailia recently appointed a new municipal hearing officer to conduct hearings at the request of those individuals that receive a municipal fine and wish to dispute it.

For more information about this new initiative please contact Stephen D. Curry, director of public health.

The city has also provided a webpage for information and processing fines: www.FitchburgMA.gov/1104/40U-Code-Enforcement

Chapter 139 of the city ordinances can also be found in the city of Fitchburg code under “Noncriminal Disposition of Violations and Municipal Fine Procedures.”

-Fitchburg Health Department