City Council Talks Code Enforcement Crackdown

There are too many code violators in Medford and not enough citations being written against them, according to city councilors.

The council passed a resolution Tuesday asking Mayor Michael McGlynn to the City hire a "Ticketing Officer" to work in conjunction with the Building Department and Code Enforcement Officer John Bavuso.

The resolution was brought forward by councilor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, who said she's heard too many complaints from residents about improperly disposed trash, partying college students, and unkempt properties.

"For the last six months it's been complaint, after complaint, after complaint about code enforcement violations in our community,” Lungo-Koehn said.

Bavuso is working well over the 40 hours per week his contract calls for, and doesn't have the time to issue significantly more citations and handle the paperwork, she said.

“He’s doing a great job, but I don’t think he’s able to do enough on the 60 hours a week he’s putting in,” Lungo-Koehn said.

It's a problem Medford doesn't share with other communities, she said.

"People say this over and over, that this does not happen in other communities," Lungo-Koehn said.

Councilor Mark Arena, who recently walked through the Hillside neighborhood with Bavuso, said even part-time help in the code enforcement office could go a long way - and would probably pay for itself.

"The addition of another code enforcement officer would pay for itself just through the revenue in fines," Arena said Tuesday.

Councilor Paul Camuso, who also went on the walk in the Hillside, agreed.

“This is definitely needed," Camuso said.

The council voted 6-0-1 to pass the resolution. Robert Penta was absent from the meeting and did not cast a vote.