By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
During a regular meeting of the Caribou City Council Monday evening, councilors considered the presentation of a citizen petition expressing property maintenance concerns on Crosby Avenue.
The petition, dated Aug. 30 and signed by 22 concerned neighborhood property owners stated: “We the homeowners and taxpayers of Crosby Avenue want to bring to your attention three houses on Crosby Avenue that are badly in need or repair. We work hard at keeping our homes maintained and yards groomed in order to have a pleasant neighborhood in which to live and enjoy with our families. We feel the lack of maintenance and condition of (these three properties) is affecting the value of our homes and the overall appearance of the neighborhood, as well as creating potential safety issues. We are asking the City of Caribou to contact the owners to discuss repairing their houses and maintaining their yards.”
In response to this petition the council called upon Steve Wentworth, Caribou’s code enforcement officer, to explain the history of these concerns and what actions had been taken. As the panel viewed photographs of the properties, Wentworth stated the three property owners had been notified by letters, prior to this petition being circulated, and that they were in noncompliance of several city ordinances pertaining to the maintenance of their homes.
“I would say that this neighborhood was built during the 1950-60s eras, part of a WW II sub-division. From what I have seen, these concerns are not a safety issue but of a preferred maintenance nature. The houses are in need of paint (the city code mandates all wood surfaces need to be painted) but we have properties in the city that are much worse than these.”
Wentworth commented that the house lots of these properties are not littered with trash or such and the lawns are, at this time being maintained. He also stated the continued downturn in the economy creates the situation where people do what they have to do to survive — “paint their house or feed their family.”
Councilwoman Mary Kate Barbosa, after viewing the pictures of the properties, said, “It does appear they are trying but it may be lack of money.”
Councilman Mark Goughan asked Wentworth if he had any concerns of the city being snubbed by these property owners in regard to the non-compliance issues. Wentworth replied that he had had no actual contact with the owners other than the letter referring to the deficiencies.
“I propose the city continue to work with the property owners and in another month or two we will see (discuss) where things are. The one tool you do have (in relation to a statement that the city has no tools to assist these property owners who may not be able to afford to do this preferred maintenance at this time) is communication and I would hope you do so.”
Mayor Kenneth Murchison stated, “ I agree with Councilman Goughan, we should continue to offer guidance to these property owners.”
The general consensus of the panel was that they would continue working toward results of these issues not letting them just die.
A complete article on the entire Sept. 13 city council meeting will appear in next week’s edition.
