NORWICH – Roughly a month has passed since owners were reported abandoning a Town of Norwich residence that stands in disrepair.
The property, located at 172 Lawton-Scheer Road, consists of a trailer, abandoned vehicles, litter, garbage, and materials that neighbors say, “could be hazardous.”
Neighbor David Llewellyn said the problem has been ongoing for the past 12 years, and he is fed up that nothing has been done. “There have been numerous petitions over the years to get the property cleaned up,” he said. “The town should act now.”
The problem worsened Sunday, Llewellyn said, when two of the owner’s adult children came to the structure and removed the trailer’s siding, leaving the structure with bare insulation as its shell. “This is a health hazard,” he said. The angered neighbor also said waste oil, rats and water run-off could be harmful.
Town Supervisor David Law, the codes department and town board members surveyed the property just days ago. “The codes department put a stop order on it (taking the structure down),” said Law. “The property has posed concerns in the past. The DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) has been there before for oil concerns and sewer problems.”
Norwich Town Attorney Steven Natoli said the owners have until Friday to take responsibility for the property or an appearance ticket will be issued.
According to tax records gathered from the county, the owners, Timothy and Amy Moore, owe $2,279 in back taxes, an amount that is due by the end of April. If the delinquent funds are overdue past the deadline, the property will be put up for tax sale and auction.
In addition to back taxes, the property currently has three parties who may have a vested interest or lien on the land and/or structure. Documents collected from the county tax office indicate Chenango County Social Services, Chenango Memorial Hospital and the law offices of Burr and Reid have been notified of the property dues in case any would like to foreclose before the upcoming tax deadline.
Law said until the property goes up for taxes, his and the board’s hands are tied. “This is still the property owner’s responsibility,” he said. Law explained town officials are doing everything they can to find the owners. According to neighbors, Amy Moore and her sons live in the Cortland area.
As for any kind of ordinance to keep town properties clean, Law said, none exist. “I am planning to bring some options to the next board meeting,” he said. “It is time we start tightening up and get some ordinances in place.”
Run-down residences, Law acknowledged, are a growing concern. He and his board worked last fall to implement a plan of action for the Halfway House at the south end of town and City View Trailer Park, another property that could be put up for tax sale, as the owner, Steven Key, owes $15,260 in back taxes.