Binghamton to Crack Down on Abandoned Recreational Vehicles

The city of Binghamton is moving to remove old, unused recreational vehicles that have been parked on private and public properties for an extended period of time.

Mayor Jared Kraham said the city has put out a request for contractors to handle the task of hauling away the illegal and abandoned eyesores.

Kraham told WNBF News that he became aware of the problem last fall as he was campaigning door-to-door around Binghamton.

The mayor said he noticed "broken, run-down, abandoned, vacant recreational vehicles." He said he saw all sorts of eyesores ranging from small pull-behind campers to  very large RVs that are being stored in backyards and behind commercial buildings.

Kraham said the abandoned vehicles are a blight on properties that can attract garbage and create environmental problems.

The city has issued a request for qualifications to find a contractor "for the removal, demolition and remediation" of abandoned recreational vehicles.

The mayor said abandoned RVs not removed after a code citation has been issued will be hauled away with a bill being sent to the property owner. If the owner refuses to pay, the cost will be added to the property's tax bill.

Kraham said towing companies don't handle recreational vehicles because of their limited scrap value and environmental issues.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.