Blind River council approved a revised property standards bylaw at its June 18 regular meeting.
Councillor Clifford Spratt welcomed the revised bylaw.
“I was very happy to see this bylaw finally presented to council,” he said. “It’s probably the longest bylaw that we have passed in the last three and a half years. It’s very, very comprehensive and will cover an awful lot of problems that we have around town with regards to property standards.”
Council was told that some of the revisions meet changes that have taken place in the province’s Residential Tenancy Act. Among the changes is a requirement for town staff to step in if they see a violation of health and safety at a building or apartment.
Councillor Jim Dunbar said he was, “definitely, definitely in favour of this bylaw.” However, he wondered whether a three-person committee was no longer required to deal with any complaints the town received. The three-member committee was a requirement under the previous bylaw.
“We are working on establishing a committee, we have been posting and we have not received much interest but we can appoint three members of council,” clerk-administrator Kathryn Scott said.
The bylaw deals with the condition of properties, an issue raised at a recent public forum, Coun. Dunbar said.
It also has provisions on how to deal with the conditions of vacant land, mobile homes, keeping mail boxes clear of snow, maintenance of appliances, electrical supply, floors, cabinet.
Copies of the revised bylaw are available at the town office.