New Milford Blight Board Orders Lien On Pumpkin Hill Road Property

NEW MILFORD, CT — The Blight Prevention Board voted June 18 to pursue new enforcement actions against several properties while removing others from its agenda after determining owners had made sufficient progress correcting blight conditions.

Among the board's actions, members unanimously voted to place a lien on the property at 173 Pumpkin Hill Road because of continued noncompliance with previous blight enforcement efforts. The board also voted unanimously to issue a municipal citation for 691 Kent Road after Attorney Joseph Mortelliti reported he had not received an updated timeline from the property owner despite requests for information.

The board also unanimously determined that 4 Skyview Drive met the town's definition of blight and issued a notice of violation after neighbors described overgrown grass, vermin and other property maintenance concerns. Residents Gregory Faust and Nicole Lynch told the board that tall grass had attracted animals and that neighboring residents had observed an increase in mice and other pests. Mayor Pete Bass said he planned to visit the property with New Milford PD Lt. Katherine Relyea to speak with the owners.

Board members removed several properties from further review after determining conditions had improved. They unanimously voted to remove 110 Carmen Hill Road #2, where members found the property's condition had improved sufficiently to allow continued storage of a boat in the lake community; 26 Maple Drive, where officials said the owner had cleaned up the property; 61 Beardsley Drive, where no blight conditions were observed during a site visit; and 88 Sunny Valley Road, after determining the reported address was incorrect. The board instead added 96 Sunny Valley Road to a future agenda for additional discussion.

Members also reviewed updates on numerous previously cited properties. At 8 Ridge Road, Mortelliti reported that several town departments had inspected the property with the owner's permission and said some progress had been made, although not enough to satisfy the town. Bass directed Mortelliti to give the property owner two weeks to submit a comprehensive remediation plan. At 24 Gaylord Road, Mortelliti said an eviction case remained pending with a final stay through June 30, after which the owner could secure the property. Officials also discussed ongoing enforcement efforts at properties on Main Street, Prospect Hill Road, Greenview Road, Town Farm Road, Railroad Street and several other locations.

Under new business, the board directed members to conduct an initial site visit at 56 Connelly Road following complaints about scattered refuse and overflowing garbage containers. Members also discussed complaints involving 4 Skyview Drive before taking enforcement action.

The board unanimously approved a revised 2026 meeting schedule and approved the minutes of its May 21 meeting, with Land Use Supervisor Laura Regan abstaining. Members also discussed creating a Town of New Milford blight webpage before adjourning at 2:48 p.m.