Niagara Falls family shocked by $2,300 garden fine

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — A household in Niagara Falls mentioned their kids’s backyard was torn out by town with out correct discover, and now they’re caught with a virtually $2,300 high-quality. Metropolis leaders nevertheless are telling a special story, saying they had been appearing on long-standing complaints.

The household mentioned their entrance yard backyard, planted years in the past for his or her autistic son, was ripped out with out correct warning by metropolis crews.

Justine Burger mentioned on April 3, metropolis crews marked their property on Ontario Avenue, below the Clear Neighborhood Ordinance. After reaching out to metropolis workplaces, Burger mentioned she was advised on April 14 that every part had been cleared. Only a week later, on April 21, the backyard, together with painted blocks and a welcome signal, was eliminated. Now, she’s going through a high-quality of practically $2,300.

“We never got a letter, never saw a sticker. We were told we were cleared, then they tore everything out. We would’ve cleaned it up if someone had just told us,” Burger mentioned.

The household mentioned they can not afford the high-quality and really feel town did not deal with them pretty. Burger mentioned some DPW employees quietly confirmed assist, even bringing them a Dwelling Depot present card.

2 On Your Facet reached out to Councilman Jim Perry, who could not do an interview, however as a substitute spoke by cellphone and despatched photographs. He mentioned town obtained complaints in regards to the residence for 18 months and despatched a number of warnings. When the household did not reply, they got ten days to wash up.

When that did not occur, town stepped in. Perry mentioned crews went past the sidewalk as a result of the world was deemed hazardous and town needed to act for the security of the neighborhood.

The Mayor of Niagara Falls Robert Restino and Niagara Falls Division of Public Works weren’t accessible for interview on April 29, however each mentioned they are going to ship out statements on April 30.