Stoneham Board of Selectmen assigned this issue to Stoneham Inspectional Services/Building Department

The aesthetics of a building is not within this departments jurisdiction.

Please forward to correct department!

I have lived around the corner from this blighted area for 15 years. The owners of this building have no pride in whatever business it is they are running here. They do not care about their neighbors whose property values are lowered due to this eye sore. Let's put pressure on the owner to clean it up or sell it.

The owner is from Winchester. The Town of Winchester would never allow this.

To J: Perhaps we should start a letter writing campaign to the owner of this building to clean up his act. What is the business he is running here exactly?

Cindy, A woman owns the building, The Board of Health received complaints in 2013 that it was rat infested. I think that problem was taken care of. A letter writing campaign may be our only hope since our Town keeps closing the issue.

Hi J: Thank you for the info. If I go to town hall, I could probably get the name and address of the owner, then write her a letter. I actually know someone who is lookng for a small place in town to open a bakery. Maybe the current owner would be willing to sell or lease this property, but certainly would have to fix it up first.

I have been in contact with the Board of Health for two years regarding this building. Have a copy of a letter sent to the owner from the Board, dated August 12, 2013 stating "rat infestation" in building. According to the Board of Health in an email dated 9/9/13, the rodent issue was addressed. In addition, the email I received stated that the owner would be placing curtains in the windows, cleaning out buiding, etc, NOT DONE as yet! When I recalled John Fralick at Board of Health, he informed me that building was in the process of being sold so situation was out of his control. Sounds like a lot of buck passing to me. I have the name and address of the owner and have actually driven by her home to see if it too is a pigpen. I plan to contact the Board tomorrow to get their updated take on the matter.

Hi Phyllis:
Thank you for your response. Glad to learn you have been trying to do something about this. I would be glad to join forces with you to see if anything can be done about this situation. If you want to, email me at cindyhref@yahoo.com

Great, Cindy! I will contact you after I call Board of Health tomorrow. Need to get there input before we proceed.

"their', not "there"....

The Stoneham Board of Health has had this property baited and trapped, and continues to monitor this property for any continuing pest activity and to date there is none. The Stoneham Fire department and Stoneham Inspectional services have addressed all exterior safety hazards with the owners of the property.

As stated to Ms. Warren in a recent email, regulatory departments such as Inspectional services, or the Board of Health are bound by written regulation. Unfortunately, There are no current or previous regulations that address unsightliness or property aesthetics, and the only enforceable regulations on an abandoned commercial property such as this one have to do with imminent conditions that endanger health or safety (rodents, previously broken window, loose roof brick), which the town departments have Satisfactorily addressed. We will continue to monitor this property for any conditions which may be a health or safety threat.

Thank you.

Thank you to the Board of Health and aforementioned departments for addressing issues relating to the pigsty on Marble Street. Sad to say, there are no regulations that address "unsightliness" in Stoneham. How is it that Winchester has no neglected store fronts?
Will be in touch Cindy...

Just rode by the pigsty on Marble St. with the abandoned truck in the driveway. There are no past or current rules and regulations that address unsightliness, etc. in Stoneham. Perhaps it's time to establish a few!!!

are they breaking any by-laws?

Not sure. Waiting to hear from the Building Department.

There are no violations within the building department jurisdiction.

Seems that the Town Departments have covered all the bases. Unfortunately, Stoneham has no by law to handle this situation. Businesses are allowed to do just about anything with their properties, hence the ugly colors on a few storefronts, etc.
Time for concerned citizens to spring into action (once again, I might add)