Councilors Delay Third Version of ‘Problem Properties’ Ordinance

The New Bedford City Council has once again tabled Mayor Jon Mitchell's "Problem Properties" ordinance.

The Council's Committee on Ordinances last night weighed the third version of the ordinance, which has been whittled down to bring action against landlords after eight valid complaints of a criminal nature, instead of ten complaints that would have included criminal, code, and zoning violations.

Landlord Kevin Welch says no matter how you slice it, the problem properties ordinance doesn't seem fair to landlords at all.

Councilors questioned several aspects of the revised ordinance, with some councilors claiming language in the proposed law is too vague, and would not hold up in court if challenged.

The ordinance has been tabled until January of 2015.