This past Monday the village held its second public hearing to receive input on recently proposed code revisions. Of greatest interest to those in attendance were the possible changes to chapter 36 of the village’s code, which relates to housing standards. Specifically, the point of updating chapter 36 is fairly straightforward: to ensure better the safety of those who reside in Brockport.
Chapter 36 also drew the majority of input—most of it thoughtful—back in July during the first public hearing dealing with these code updates. Several speakers at that gathering shared a concern about the amount of power that proposed changes to chapter 36 would give the village’s code enforcement officer. Others identified technical flaws in the writing, mostly tangled prose or incorrect references to sections that had been renumbered or removed during the editing process.
Less credible were comparisons between the village board and the Third Reich. One animated gentleman’s lively address likened the Nazis’ forced registration of Jews to the proposed registration of rental properties, which I found to be nearly as illogical as it was insensitive. While hyperbole isn’t unwelcome at public hearings, I do subscribe to the generally accepted belief that whatever is said reflects on the speaker.
In any case, the village, in response to concerns that had been raised at the first public hearing, further modified chapter 36. The public hearing earlier this week afforded another opportunity for interested parties to comment on the re-revised draft. Again, most of what was shared with the board was constructive.
One viewpoint that was expressed perhaps two or three times was that the village board ought to delay a vote on chapter 36 to give the new trustees, Scott Hunsinger and me, a chance to “get up to speed.” While I’m sure my fellow freshman trustee appreciates the sentiment behind such a suggestion as much as I do, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who puts more effort into preparedness than Trustee Hunsinger.
Both he and I offered suggestions for chapter 36. We reviewed several versions of it. We communicated with the village’s counsel. We exchanged thoughts with others who had a hand in its revision. Of course we now have attended two public hearings on the matter too.
Whether the next step for the village will be to adjust chapter 36 again or to go ahead and vote on it, I’m ready. And I think Scott would say the same.
