Lot-Clearing Program to Reduce Fire Danger

Most of city’s empty lots will soon be cleared of weeds and other vegetation in an effort to prevent fires.

The City Council this week unanimously approved the measure.

“About 550 lots will soon be cleared to prevent fires,” said Don Noble, the city’s maintenance operations manager.

“If they are not cleared, the weeds dry up and one person lights a match or a cigarette in the area [and] we could have a real problem.”

The council authorized the program throughout the city with the exception of a several-acre-wide area along Graham Street between Warner and Slater avenues.

Residents told the council that some of the weeds there were part of wetlands and were endangered.

The council will revisit the protected area at its May meeting.

The city will pay to clean up its empty lots and property owners will have to pay for their own clean up, officials said.