Change the status quo in Copenhagen

The magic moment has finally arrived with the completed reconstruction of the Copenhagen Village Hall. When the weather becomes favorable, work will commence on the construction and paving of a parking lot and driveway.

The total cost for this entire project will be in the $250,000 range, funded by the village taxpayers with almost all the various work operations and materials performed on a nonbidding basis which was initiated by the resigned Mayor Michael Shew. This grand looking structure is definitely the focal point of Copenhagen. Unfortunately, it is not aesthetically in harmony with the overall appearance of the village.

Now is the time for the new mayor and the trustees to correct some of the negative situations by enacting village laws to address property upkeep, i.e. cluttered litter, lawn care, debris cleanup and unlawful junkyard conditions. There also needs to be strict enforcement of the laws to be truly effective. Presently, to the best of my knowledge, Copenhagen does not have a zoning law. The town of Denmark has a zoning law which is applicable to all locations other than the villages of Castorland and Copenhagen.

Lewis County did issue a junkyard law with the inspector in Lowville, and the enforcement of the law is rather lax within the village of Copenhagen, where a few of the properties are in violation. I was informed several years ago by the inspector that he has no authority to access anyone's property without their permission. This situation needs to be corrected to provide greater authority to the inspector. There are situations where violations can be observed from the highway/street or the adjacent property's driveway. The inspector needs to be more innovative and aggressive to fulfill his task.

The village of Copenhagen needs to transition from relying on outside ordinances to home rule by enacting codes which can be patterned after a more vibrant village. If necessary, it can be more stringent by amendment. The village can designate an enforcing person or have an intermunicipal agreement to enforce the law.

On a positive note, the village does have a paid canine enforcement officer with authority to issue citations. This function definitely places Copenhagen in the 21st century.

Here is an opportunity for Mayor Kenneth Clarke and the trustees to be part of the solution or remain status quo, which is part of the problem. Any municipal governing body that fails to manage, create or enforce local laws cannot justify their existence.

John H. Drewes

Copenhagen