What to do about ECB violation for neighbor's standing water?

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We received an environmental control board violation for standing water in our backyard.  Problem is, we don’t have an issue with standing water.  Our next door neighbor, on the other hand, who paved over his backyard, has a sizeable pond back there every time it rains.  His yard is also visible from the street (ours is not).  The ECB inspector clearly screwed up the address on the violation.

The violation states we can “request a hearing by mail.”  We called 311 for clarification and were routed to the ECB office, who was apparently unable to clarify.  So, we requested a hearing by mail and explained the issue in the request, expecting that we would be granted a hearing and provided further information about how to submit evidence (we needed to wait for rainfall to take a photo that would prove our point).  We heard nothing in reply so after a rain we took photos and showed up at the in-person hearing.  We were told that we had submitted insufficient evidence so the matter was decided in the City’s favor and we were fined $200.  We can appeal the decision, but we were informed we won’t be allowed to submit evidence in our appeal.

I guess we could pay the fine as a sort of “Dumb City Government Tax” and be done with it.  What repercussions can we realistically expect though if we were to choose to go the scofflaw route and refuse to pay?

kutterkan

in Government 13 years and 8 months ago

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towelwarmer | 13 years ago

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BobMarvin | 13 years and 8 months ago

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I second the suggestion about contacting your City Council person.

kutterkan | 13 years and 8 months ago

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Yeah, the kicker is the mosquitos are bad in our back yard.  Effective enforcement of standing water violations would be most effective.  I don’t know who raised the initial complaint that started this but it wasn’t us.  I’m tempted to raise a complaint with 311 but am a little wary of receiving another violation by a dyslexic inspector.

Amen, DiBS, on the taxes.  If it was a business they’d be out of business.

That’s awful about the violations, elbow.  I’m thinking of taking your advice just to see if any of those representatives will actually address this.

elbow | 13 years and 8 months ago

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This is just not right.  It may or may not work, but try sending a letter with your photos and clear address details to your City Council person.  Copy the DEP Commissioner and the Mayor’s Office with the same.

Because some moron(s) in my neighborhood keep calling 311, I periodically get Health Dept. violations for the rats that dig holes in my front yard because it’s the only front yard close to the filthy garbage area of the 4 nearby restaurants.  I never get fined for the violation but always get a $130 fee from the DoH for their “inspection”.

Minmin | 13 years and 8 months ago

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Call 311 about the standing water in your neighbor’s backyard.  West Nile virus is a problem, right?  Plus, it seems as though they don’t have the proper drainage and need to put in vents or whatnot anyway.  Yeah, pay the GCGT, but make sure your neighbor fixes his yard.

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 8 months ago

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Welcome to the idiocy and ineptitude of what you pay good taxes for.  Sorry to hear this sort of bullshit.  Makes you wonder how prevalent this sort of rap is throughout the government.