Trash troubles continue in Plymouth

PLYMOUTH, Conn. (WTNH) -- There are trash troubles continue in Plymouth. The town says a yard was never cleaned up because there wasn't a strict code enforcement ordinance.

Neighbors can't stand the sight, but property owner Joe Hooper doesn't have a problem defending it. Though when News 8 talked to him in August he wouldn't show his face.

"Thanks for bringing them," he said.

After this scene, neighbors feared forcing the issue.

So, News 8 went back to follow up. Hooper wasn't around, but town officials were.

"Mr. Hooper is not going to do anything," said Ted Scheidel, Mayor's administrative assistant.

Hooper was issued a citation to dismantle the already collapsing home and clean up the mess.

It doesn't look like Hooper will meet his October 4th deadline, so under the town's new ordinance, fines will keep accruing. This could also mean neighbors will be looking at the same scene for a lot longer.

"Is the town taking this seriously though," asked News 8's Erin Logan.

"The town is taking this very seriously," said Scheidel. "Unfortunately, when someone doesn't do what they're supposed to in a timely manner, there is a legal process the town has to go through."

That process will start with zoning and the building inspector going to the property, reporting back to the Housing Board of Appeals, who will then determine whether Hooper complied. Then, they'll decide whether or not to uphold the original municipal citation and fine him.

"It could take, I don't want to give you the wrong answer," Scheidel said.

"Months," questioned Logan.

"Yeah, it could take months," said Scheidel.

"Do you feel bad for these neighbors? Does the town feel bad," Logan asked.

"Um, we understand their concern. It's been there along time," Scheidel said.