The New Brunswick Division of Housing Inspections will conduct a two-week Community Clean Sweep beginning April 27 through May 8 to investigate citywide property maintenance issues.
New Brunswick City Spokesman Bill Bray said the purpose of the Community Clean Sweep is to ensure the city is cleaner, safer and more environmentally friendly.
“If residents throughout the city get their neighbors and roommates together [to clean up their properties], not only will Clean Sweep [go by better] but your entire neighborhood will look a lot better,” he said.
The city’s housing inspectors will cover every residential block, looking for violations of city ordinances concerning quality of life issues, Bray said.
Violations of city ordinances include overgrowing bushes or grass; litter and debris including furniture, trash and cigarette butts, graffiti, peeling paint and other signs of exterior deterioration, he said.
Violators will receive warning or violation notices first, and if they do not abide by the rules for a second time they will be fined, Bray said.
In addition to maintaining the cleanliness of their property, residents are responsible for garbage on the sidewalk and street surrounding their properties, Bray said. The curb line extending 24 inches from their property must be maintained.
“The example we like to use is, when you open up that car door and that McDonald’s bag or bottle falls out and rolls on the street—that’s your responsibility,” he said.
Residents must also ensure their garbage and recycling bins are out of plain sight, Bray said. They can be placed in the back of the property or behind a screened area.
“Basically, when someone walks by, they can’t see them,” he said.
Garbage should be maintained and should never overflow, because trash can then get into sewers, the street or onto other properties, which causes environmental issues, Bray said.
“It’s not just an aesthetic concern — it’s an environmental concern too,” he said.
The only furniture allowed outside is patio furniture, as long as it is not on the porch or patio roof, which has been common in the past years among college students, Bray said.
“The porch roof is not a cool place to read your textbook,” he said.
Grills cannot be stored or used on any deck or patio, Bray said. They must always be used in the backyard or on a ground surface.
Failure to abide by the rules usually result in tickets to the property owner rather than the tenants, said Nels Lauritzen, a New Brunswick attorney who focuses on landlord/tenant rights and issues.
But some property owners feel their tenants are responsible for certain ordinances, such as taking out the garbage on the right days and recycling.
Steve Ostergen, a landlord in New Brunswick, said he states in his lease that tenants are responsible for ensuring the garbage is out on garbage days, ensuring they are following the city’s recycling guidelines and that they are keeping the property free of litter and excessive trash.
“I have it in my lease that tenants must be aware of New Brunswick city ordinances,” said Ostergen, manager of the apparel store Scarlet Fever.
Lauritzen said landlords have the right to deduct the fines from security deposits whether the guidelines are stated in the lease or not.
Bray said there are usually not as many tickets given out because the violation notices give tenants and landlords the chance to fix the issues beforehand.
“The goal is not to write tickets,” he said. “When it comes down to it, it’s all common sense and about being a good neighbor.”
Bray said the usual bi-annual Community Clean Sweep may not have to be enforced after May because two additional inspectors will be hired in the fall with the main purpose of inspecting properties for litter and garbage day in and day out.
Residences can find the property maintenance code on the city’s Web site: cityofnewbrunswick.org.
In addition to Clean Sweep, there will an Urban Clean-Up tomorrow sponsored by New Brunswick Clean Communities and another clean-up Saturday sponsored by the Unity Square Partnership, Bray said. Volunteers are encouraged to help out.
“In addition to enforcement, we’re also rolling up our sleeves and helping the city,” Bray said.
New Brunswick to receive ‘clean sweep’ in coming weeks
Published: Thursday, April 23, 2009
Updated: Thursday, April 23, 2009
 "Photo: Andrew Howard / Photography Editor")
Andrew Howard / Photography Editor
Due to litter found on streets such as Prosper Street, shown above, the Clean Sweep program will be implemented in the city in hopes of creating a cleaner and safer environment.
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