Marion pushes for updates on Pitcher Street blighted property

MARION — Town officials are pushing for the man responsible for a property on Pitcher Street to finalize his ownership and repair the blighted house that has sat unoccupied for over a decade. 

The Select Board shared an update from Neal Balboni, a relative of former homeowner Barbara Garty Balboni, and discussed next steps to improve the condition of the property at its Tuesday, Nov. 3 meeting. 

The house at 28 Pitcher St. has belonged to Garty Balboni’s estate since she died in 2010, and its condition has declined significantly in the years since. 

Concerned neighbors asked the Select Board to consider leveling the house at a previous meeting. The board asked the fire chief and building commissioner to visit the site, and had the Board of Health inspect it for safety concerns. 

These visits found the building is not in an urgent state of collapse and does not pose a major fire or public safety risk. 

In a letter to the board, Balboni said the property and estate has been part of legal proceedings for the past few years. Because he is not yet the legal owner of the house, he said he is unable to make major repairs to the structure but is willing to make small repairs and clean up the property. 

“I believe the process may be completed over the next eight to nine months,” he wrote. “At that point, I will be able to undertake all necessary steps to repair the property and will seek the necessary permits to do so.” 

The board has asked Balboni to attend its next meeting on Nov. 17 to discuss how he plans to address neighbors’ concerns. 

Chair John Hoagland said it’s important the town continues to pay attention to the issue so it doesn’t fall off the radar. 

Margie Baldwin questioned why Balboni has the legal authority to make some repairs to the property but can’t fix any major safety concerns. 

“Don’t let him off the hook on this, it’s been going on for too long,” Baldwin said.