CROMWELL — Enchanted Hills Community Association met for its monthly meeting Tuesday evening, May 1. During the long meeting, the association discussed a long-time issue among the residents and the appearance of some properties.

A clean up day held April 21 filled three trash dumpsters and one recycling dumpster. More than 20 volunteers filled them, collecting litter, assisting other residents and cleaning the park. The association discussed the possibility of another volunteer clean up day in the future as it seems a few residents are just lacking the resources to dispose of unwanted objects, such as old TVs and tires. Making clean up days available to the residents will create a baseline in which the community can begin to build up and maintain itself.

As some properties are becoming more derelict, with strewn trash and other issues that go against the association’s bylines, the board discussed an enforcement committee coming together to visit those homes to bring attention to bylines being violated. The enforcement committee would begin holding everyone to the standard the bylines set. Fines for ignored violations was another idea the association brought up.

Everyone on the association agreed action must be taken in order to create change within the community.

When it comes to clean property, it creates more impact than a simple bad image. Loose garbage flying around and sitting on the ground for weeks creates a health hazard to neighbors as well as the environment. Some residents worry about their property values going down as a result. Unlike municipalities that have the ability to enforce town regulations, Enchanted Hills is a community where the bylines are only county laws.

It should be noted when it comes to the state of a property, the property owner is held responsible — not the resident or home owner.

Another issue addressed was some property lot owners are not residents, but have come into an agreement with people to sell their homes. Unsuspecting people may read the contract and interpret it as becoming the owner of the home and property, which isn’t the case. It ultimately creates an issue when the home turns out to be in derelict condition. People seeking to buy homes should make certain such a contract states home and land, not just home, in order to avoid falling into a difficult situation.

Time will tell when improvements will come to the community, but organizing an enforcement committee to assert the bylines and holding clean up days is a start for a wave of transformation.