Resident urges review of weed-notice ordinance after repeated enforcement charges
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Summary
Robert Hasso told the commission his family property—maintained for decades—has repeatedly received weed-enforcement notices and $400 charges; he asked the city to review ordinance '11 6 0 3' and improve notification and civility in enforcement.
At the Citizens Forum, Robert Hasso addressed the Newton City Commission seeking review of local nuisance enforcement under the ordinance he cited verbally as '11 6 0 3.' Hasso said his family has owned and maintained property in Newton for more than 50 years but recently received multiple enforcement notices and charges while he believed he had cooperated with staff.
Hasso described repeatedly mowing the parcel, meeting with city staff (including an on-site meeting arranged by Rod) and spraying vegetation, yet still receiving billing for city mowing at $400 per incident. He said the ordinance provides only one mandatory notice per year and asked the commission to consider more communicative and “friendly” enforcement practices so longstanding property stewards are not penalized unexpectedly.
The chair thanked Hasso for his comments. Commissioners agreed to a short executive session afterward; the meeting returned and adjourned with no action reported that night on the ordinance.