Clean-up blitz to take place in Timmins when the snow melts

A cleanup initiative in Timmins is taking aim at property owners who don't follow city bylaws to maintain their properties.

The City of Timmins has a number of community cleanup events scheduled this spring. There’s also a two-week blitz targeting residents who haven’t kept their properties clean.

Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic said about two to three per cent of taxpayers in Timmins don’t comply with bylaws regarding keeping their properties clean.

“They’re always being reported so we’re going to be blitzing those properties as opposed to waiting for complaints,” Gvozdanovic said

“So we’re going to be proactive with that and go after them and get the properties cleaned up.”

He made the request for the blitz at the last council meeting in March.

City clerk Steph Palmateer said city council was trying to decide when to hold the two-week blitz.

“And (staff) suggested a 30-day time period between mid-April to mid-May, all weather dependent,” Palmateer said.

“That way, it’ll help us identify the properties that have, you know, the garbage and the stuff that needs to be cleaned up.”

Aside from objects accumulating in yards, Gvozdanovic also said boarded-up buildings are eyesores.

“In residential areas, in the downtown, that has to be addressed,” he said.

“We have a vacant building bylaw. These people have to understand that. We’re going to enforce it.”

Another concern Gvozdanovic has is the amount of pet waste throughout the city that crops up when the snow melts, especially in one section of his ward.

“When you take a look at this sidewalk (Father Costello Drive) with dog feces all over the place -- the snow is going to melt,” he said.

“It’s going to get hot, people are going to have to walk down here to go to the (Schumacher Post Office).”

“And it’s not just here,” Gvozdanovic added.

Animal control

“It’s on our trails, it’s in other areas. People have to just bend over and pick up the feces, OK? Put it in the bag because it’s disrespectful to the other residents and the responsible pet owners.”

Palmateer said the city is in the process of bringing animal control under its management.

“So, hoping by May 1 we should be ready to go with that operation,” he said.

“We should have our officers in place and we’ll be able to focus and help the community get those areas cleaned up.”

Palmateer said other city-wide clean-up initiatives will take place in May, including bulk item curbside collection May 5-16 and the Adopt-A-Block cleanup, which is scheduled during the third week of May.

“I think with all the social issues that we’re dealing with, the least we can do for our residents is have a clean community,” said Gvozdanovic.