The Town of Wawarsing will use its property maintenance code to affect a cleanup of a Port Ben Road property that has been in violation of town codes for years.

An inspection by representatives from the town's Building Department in April 2006 noted junked vehicles, oil drums, a boat, an abandoned travel trailer and other articles of garbage, rubbish, trash, and debris.

Gary North, owner of the property, was notified in April, May, June, and August of last year that his property was in violation of the town code, and has been "determined to be dangerous to the public health, safety, appearance and welfare of the residents of the Town of Wawarsing." At its February 1 meeting, the town board agreed to send another 30-day notice.

If North fails to act within 15 days, a public hearing will be held on March 1, after which the town will hire an independent company to clean the property. North will be billed for the work, and if he does not pay for the clean-up, the cost will be added to his property tax bill.

North could not be reached for comment.

The Berme Road area is one of the oldest sections of town, an appealing country road with the added attraction of adjoining the D&H Canal. Change has been slow, and although progress has been made since zoning was created in 1971, by 1991 health issues still were significant enough to bring federal funds to the area to provide wells and septic, and help in cleaning up collected debris.

There are some well-kept and renovated homes, and several new ones, but a few homeowners cling to the "old ways." Several properties contain as much junk as North's, and at least one is far worse, crowded with buildings stuffed with trash, an abandoned camper, and other trash and junk.

Town Supervisor James Dolaway says the town isn't ignoring other violators, but each situation is different, and must be handled accordingly.

"We're well aware of that situation, it's a situation we've been trying to find a solution to," said Dolaway. " It's a money issue, and there's a mindset with some people about accepting help that's difficult to deal with."

"The owners of the property are not trying to avoid the violations that exist," said the town's Codes Enforcement Officer Robin Coleman. "Fourteen vehicles and countless numbers of dumpsters of trash have already been removed."

Coleman said the town is working with them, and that clean-up is ongoing.

"They're on a fixed income, and they're doing everything they can."

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