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Date: 1/11/2023
WILBRAHAM – Town officials are looking to move in on cases of blighted buildings and address issues of properties that may become sources of concern within the community.
Addressing the meeting of the Wilbraham Board of Selectmen on Jan. 9, Police Chief Edward Lennon says leaders are making use of the town’s various agencies to address current issues creating a single problem now that, left unchecked, could potentially multiply or at minimum grow larger where they stand.
Currently on the table and identified at the Select Board meeting was 2396 Boston Rd.
Lennon highlighted the “motel-like property” across from Gregory’s Restaurant and Pizza Pub.
The parcel is made up of several free-standing cottages that have not been occupied or in operation for 20 years. As time has passed, the buildings have decayed with the roofs falling into disrepair, doors have disappeared and the surrounding area became overgrown.
A common occurrence in communities large and small, similar matters have led to expanding problems, affecting property values and neighborhood safety.
At present, instances like squatting, drug use or increased criminal activity have not been associated with the unattended lot but there appears to be no interest in waiting for a problem to develop.
In the case of the Boston Road property, Lennon said he believes the owner lives out of state but has been in communication with town officials.
“The owner has secured them [the buildings] to some extent and has cleaned up the overgrown vegetation,” he said.
Asked about the potential for demolishing the structures, the chief said the buildings are falling down. “I don’t see any situation where they’re going to be rehabbed, they are just too far gone.”
“There are other properties in the town,” Lennon said, that are in either poor or unsafe conditions that the town would like to deal with by either demolition or another measure reached by a consensus from other town departments.
“There are various agencies in the town, we meet together and see what the particular problem is,” he added,
Often, the chief said, it’s a matter of one specific agency addressing the main issue to start and then moving on from there. “If the roof is falling in, it would probably be a building thing, a rodent problem might be the Health Department,” he said.
While the update and discussion before the Select Board was informational, the chief said “it’s challenging” depending on the specific issue and the avenue taken to either address or enforce codes or methods of repair.