In addition to the new ‘floater? position, Springfield Township Supervisor Mike Trout also asked the board to approve hiring a person to track vacant foreclosed property.
‘Once the grass starts growing, you notice (vacant properties) everywhere,? he said. ‘I can’t drive through a neighborhood where I don’t see this condition exist. Some are on lakes, some are in very nice neighborhoods.?
Trout told the board he wanted to employ someone ‘for the remainder of the summer? to catalog vacant houses, determine who’s responsible for upkeep and make sure homes are secured.
‘This is outside the duties of the ordinance officer,? Trout said. ‘He’s doing so much already, just keeping up with day-to-day complaints.?
Trout estimated a $5,000 expenditure to carry out the task; the board agreed by unanimous vote.
‘I don’t have a problem spending $5,000 to do that kind of work just to get it under control,? said Trustee Denny Vallad, ‘or at least identify what kind of a problem we’ve got.?