Blighted properties in Norwich's downtown district are being targeted in an effort of the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency to clean up "nuisance  properties." (Photo by Shawn Magrath)

NORWICH – Following up on past efforts to clean up nuisance properties in the City of Norwich and across the county, the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) is entertaining a notion to hire outside legal counsel to help combat the issue.

CCIDA board members invited two municipal attorneys to their June meeting to offer recommendations on how local leaders might address buildings that have been dubbed a "nuisance” under municipal law. Such properties, per law, interfere with citizens outside of the property, often in ways that hinder enjoyment, health, or safety of a neighboring property.

Nuisance properties have been an ongoing struggle for Chenango County municipalities that have had experiences with proprietors who pay their taxes but neglect their property. The CCIDA and its sister agency, Commerce Chenango, have pioneered previous efforts to address the issue with moderate success.

The CCCIDA is now looking to elevate those efforts.

“Trying to understand what to do about these buildings is something all (Chenango County) municipalities want to address, but we want to do it the right way,” explained Commerce Chenango President and CEO Sal Testani, pointing to downtown Norwich buildings including select commercial and residential properties on North Broad Street in the City of Norwich. “We don’t want to threaten landlords or target code violations. What we’re trying to do is figure out how to deal with things that are truly an issue for our communities that affect our safety and ability to be economically prosperous.”