Neighbors urge Marion to demolish blighted residence
From left: Select Board members Randy Parker, John Hoagland and Toby Burr at the Tuesday, Oct. 20 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche
From left: Select Board members Randy Parker, John Hoagland and Toby Burr at the Tuesday, Oct. 20 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche
MARION — A dilapidated building on 28 Pitcher St., left in disrepair for decades, is cause for concern for several neighbors.
A group of residents who live near the property appeared before the Select Board on Tuesday, Oct. 20 to request the town raze or otherwise address the dangers the building poses.
Margie Baldwin listed raccoons among the several wild animals sighted near the building, and said with recent reports of a rabid raccoon found in town she is concerned the building is a safety concern.
Residents also said the property poses a fire hazard, is an eye sore and brings down property values of neighboring houses.
“The property's declining condition concerns us,” Judy Davis said. “It's unsightly, and if there are actually wild animals living there, it's a health hazard and a safety issue.”
Tim Dyer urged the town to demolish the property, and said it “doesn't seem right for our town to let this go on and on and on.”
To address both the Pitcher Street property and other abandoned, dilapidated buildings in town, one resident suggested the board adopt a blighted property policy. Select Board member Toby Burr said he opposes a policy that could pit neighbors against each other and believes the board should address each property separately.
The Select Board requested the Board of Health review the property, ordered the fire chief and building commissioner inspect it and will request town counsel report on the legality of demolishing the property.
