Hello,

Sounds like you've got a neighbor who is either too busy or doesn't care as much about their yard as you do about yours. How bad is it? Do you have a digital camera? If so, snap a photo and post it here in the "browse" field below. If you don't want to embarrass your neighbor (which would make it harder to get them to clean up their yard) I would take a photo that doesn't ID the exact house.

But you do have several options, and here's how I would pursue them:

1. Open the lines of communication. You can't force your neighbor to take better care of their lawn, but you might build a small-talk relationship with them and thereby get them to care about you and your property value. Once they care about you as a member of their neighborhood community, they may appreciate the need to maintain their yard within that community. Do you have a teenager who needs something to do? You might suggest that they pay your teen $10-$20 to mow their lawn for them - thereby giving them the hint and possibly providing a new source of income for your teen.

2. If the property is shabby enough to meet the town's definition of "blight," and you can't get the property owner to act yourself, then you might consider contacting the town. I do not represent the town, just the Journal Inquirer. I can help you get the town moving if you've already contacted them without success, but they are not going to be responsible for a person's lawn unless it qualifies as a blighted property or represents a health risk. Standing water is a health risk, but tall grass is less of a risk and may not trigger any reaction from the town.

Check the town's Web site, for starters:

http://www.townofmanchester.org/

Also, here's a link to the to the town's Citizen Request System:

http://www.townofmanchester.org/manager/public/public_entry.cfm

You can copy and paste the Citizen Request System link and check out what options are available to you - it is set up to not only respond to requests but also to provide information.

Good luck!