Bylaw complaints hit lowest level since 2008

Guelph-Eramosa residents were either more compliant with local bylaws last year or they were simply less inclined to report those who broke the rules.

Matthew Williamson, the township’s bylaw enforcement and property standards officer, told council last week that he received 121 complaints in 2012, down 15% from 2011 (142) and 19% from 2010 (150).

In fact, last year’s total was the lowest in the township since 2008.

Williamson told council he is not able to discuss specific cases due to privacy concerns, but he did outline what took up most of his time in 2012, including:

- 54 written notices of violations;

- 40 parking tickets issued;

- 26 property standards calls;

- 17 parking complaints;

- 17 zoning issues;

- 16 encroachments;

- 14 orders issued;

- 13 animal control calls;

- 13 miscellaneous calls (including depositing snow on a road, snowmobile operation in parks, discharging  firearms, signs, etc.);

- 12 total charges initiated;

- five open air burning complaints;

- four water calls;

- four dumping incidents;

- two calls each for site plans, site alteration permits, site alterations, and noise; and

- one dog owner’s liability court order.

Williamson, who works on a part-time, largely complaint-driven basis, said he is a certified property standards officer and municipal law enforcement officer with formal education in law enforcement.

In addition to investigating complaints, Williamson also reviewed several of the township’s regulatory bylaws and presented a report to council for review.