VERNON, Conn. — Neighbors in one quiet neighborhood of Vernon have covered their noses for several years now. Workers have been cleaning a hoarder's home on Warren Avenue since Friday. The trash, however, is just one part of the problem.
The conditions inside the home have attracted rats to the neighborhood and residents on Warren Avenue have dealt with a rat infestation for months.
"The rats are probably about … this big, " said Eric McVeigh of Vernon.
Large rat traps surround the McVeigh's home on Warren Avenue. Cell phone videos showed the rodents on their daily adventure, scurrying to find warmth.
"It’s disheartening living next to something like this," added McVeigh.
Their next-door neighbor who lived in the now-boarded-up home was a hoarder.
Through the Freedom of Information Act, the town was able to obtain pictures that showed piles of trash in every room inside the house. The trash was so bad, it created a smell that lingered outside and worsened in the summer.
"The yard started getting very messy and then a smell, a putrid smell started taking over the air," added McVeigh.
That is when neighbors became even more rattled.
Seven homeowners signed a letter drafted to the town and expressed their concerns.
"We had to run our central air for many many months because we couldn’t open windows, our utility bills went up," added McVeigh.
The town then immediately responded.
"The town has been amazing," added McVeigh.
In August, a notice of violation was sent to the homeowner to notify her of her violations.
With no improvements made on her end, the health department sent a second notice in October and said she had to vacate because the home was uninhabitable.
Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said:
"This is a very rare, unusual and unfortunate situation where the town had to intervene. It’s not something that normally happens but this situation was so serious it constituted a public health and safety emergency.
The North Central District Health Department and Town of Vernon initially issued orders to the property owner to clean the property. When the property owner failed to do so, the town and health department sought additional legal authority through Superior Court.
These actions are driven by concern for the property owner’s health and safety as well as to provide relief to residents of the surrounding neighborhood.
As part of the court proceeding, the Town sought the court’s permission to begin remediation efforts. That permission was granted and remediation efforts are now underway. Environmental Services Inc. is performing the work under the supervision of the Vernon Public Works Department.
A pest control contractor has also been hired by the town to address the rodent problem and is working with neighbors to address problems on their properties.
The town is seeking to place a lien on the 162 Warren Avenue property to recover the funds spent to remediate the public health and safety emergency."
"It’s extremely unnerving. We don’t get much rest. It’s hard to live when you’re constantly worried about your own property becoming infested with rats from something that could’ve been avoidable," added McVeigh.
There is no word on when the cleanup will be finished at the home.
Carmen Chau is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at cchau@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and X.
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