BRIDGEWATER —Town Council has endorsed a petition in opposition to a home people say is a public nuisance.
Addressing Town Council on Tuesday, resident Bob Tennyson explained drafting the petition was the very last hope for neighbors of the property, found in Bridgewater’s Sanston Web sites neighborhood.
In accordance to the draft complaint, the property poses health and protection dangers, and has accrued “unwholesome, unsanitary and unhealthy substances,” including trash, waste components, sections of motor motor vehicles, guide acid batteries, wheels, tires, rusty metallic, plumbing fixtures and other debris.
“Grass, weeds, wild trees, and other international advancement on the Property serve as a haven for snakes, skunks, floor hogs and other vermin,” the draft petition claims. “Animals from the property destruction vegetable gardens, flower beds, and other plantings on the neighboring homes and pose a health and fitness hazard and protection risk to animals and kids.”
Tennyson reported he would file the petition in Rockingham County Circuit Court docket for a distinctive grand jury to examine the grievance.
“This is our past and best hope to guard our health and fitness, our house and just our enjoyment of life in the town of Bridgewater and in the Sanston subdivision,” Tennyson explained.
Town Council’s endorsement of the petition has no legal impact, but does show a statement of aid, said City Supervisor Jay Litten. Mayor Ted Flory and council users Fontaine Canada, Travis Bowman, Bill Miracle, Steven Schofield and Jim Tongue voted to endorse the petition, with Dillina Stickley dissenting.
“I really don’t know that that is specifically in our bailiwick, and I never believe it serves any individual form of goal to do so,” Stickley claimed.
According to town paperwork, the house, positioned in the 100 block of South Sandstone Lane, is in violation of town code because of to the accumulation of “odious resources,” these kinds of as junk and other elements that “individually or collectively, might endanger the overall health or protection of citizens of the City.”
Officers have sent correspondence to the property owner five instances about his assets not staying compliant with city code, the earliest of which dates again to 2020.
Arrived at Wednesday, the property operator reported he was unaware of the petition. He reported he just lately experienced a stroke, and expressed displeasure with how Bridgewater officials and his neighbors did not support him.
“Nobody has even provided to assistance me,” Thomas Harrison Tyler claimed.
When 5 or much more people file a criticism with the circuit courtroom about a general public or frequent nuisance, Virginia law mandates a special grand jury to examine the issue. If the grand jury principles the residence a community nuisance, a demo will be scheduled.
Bridgewater City Lawyer Jason Botkins mentioned there would be no legal repercussions if council endorsed the petition.
Officials recalled that, in 2011, City Council also endorsed a petition from Holly Hill residents, who filed a complaint in circuit courtroom with regards to the former Miller household. There, neighbors claimed the West Bank Avenue parcel was a bastion for all way of wildlife, such as skunks, deer and rats. The house was vacant for several years.
Later, the Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Business arrived to an settlement to take care of the matter with the house owner right before the circumstance went to trial.