To the editor,

It’s been awhile since I’ve seen or read about this ongoing issue.

I’ll keep it brief because most area taxpayers and town officials are aware of the chronic situation.

Specifically, there are 5 houses on Locust Street beginning with three at Holly and ending with one at Acorn that are public health nuisances in addition to being in poor repair.

It seems to area homeowners that the referenced owners get away with keeping the houses in such deplorable condition in spite of the detriment to the housing values of the adjacent properties. Who’s going to buy a house next to these properties?

We have new, effective and involved building and health inspectors who seem to be willing to take on such unenviable tasks and have even poked the respective property owners. That said, conditions prevail and in one case appear to have worsened. There appears to be little, if any, meaningful follow up.

Taxpayers and area homeowners deserve better.

Thank you

Vincent Maher