KENLY

The Kenly Town Council has tabled adopting a new nuisance ordinance until June, to give residents ample time to provide feedback.

Scott Shelton, Kenly's town manager proposed the ordinances in an effort to make it easier for residents to be in compliance and if necessary, for officials to enforce them.

Before people begin receiving citations for violations, Shelton will ask the town to go through a transition period that will enable people to be familiar with the ordinances and to make any changes necessary.

When the transition period ends and a property owner is found to be in violation, they will have 10 days to correct the problem or the town has the right to enter the property and remove the nuisance at the owner's expense.

If the ordinance is adopted, the following items will be covered:

* Grass cannot be taller than 12 inches

* Any uncontrolled growth of an undeveloped parcel of land that has grass taller than 24 inches and the nuisance area is within 50 feet from any residential use

* Junk will have to be stored in an enclosed building or, if outdoors, junk will have to be in a 10-by-10 area with a solid fence hiding it

* Stagnant pools of water

* Litter that accumulates on property on a continuous or ongoing basis

* Any refrigerator or container that is outdoors and uses an airtight snap lock or any other lock shall be made inaccessible by any child by removing the doors

* The accumulation of dead animals, decayed meat, vegetables or fruit or any other debris which may emit a noxious odor

* The accumulation of any unusable building materials on property

* Any office furniture or household furniture that is stored outdoors

* Any debris with jagged edges stored in an open area

TOWN TALK APPEARS EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY. STAFF WRITER GINA CHILDRESS COVERS WILSON'S NEIGHBORING CITIES AND TOWNS AND LOOKS FOR YOUR IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS. CHILDRESS CAN BE REACHED AT (252) 265-7821 OR AT GINA@WILSONTIMES.COM.