The Post-Standard News |
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Post-Standard,
The (Syracuse, NY) July 18, 2001 Compiled by Sara Errington Where's the mess?
A vacant liquor store, mini-mart and garage, a 55-gallon drum,
overgrown brush and a multicolored car have been on a lot at 1852 E. Lake
Road near Route 174 in Spafford. The car, which has a valid
registration, has been moved recently.
Who's responsible?
The property is owned by Frank E. Marcheterre, Jr. of 2170
Willowdale Road, Spafford, who purchased it in 1988. The liquor
store has been closed for several years. Marcheterre could not be reached
for comment.
Why hasn't it been cleaned up?
The site has been cleaned up, according to town officials. In
November 1999, Marcheterre was ordered by the town to clean up the
property. He removed a sign, fences, a pontoon boat, a dump truck, a truck
cap, dead rats, traps and bait, a barbecue fryer and other property from
the site. On May 7, 2001, Marcheterre pleaded guilty to one violation of
the town's zoning ordinance and was sentenced to a conditional discharge.
""He cleaned up a lot of the stuff. It's a lot better than it was,'' said
Spafford Supervisor Gordon Ireland.
What the neighbors say?
Even cleaned up, the property is an eyesore, according to Peter and
Mary Pirnie, who live nearby. The well-traveled intersection is a gateway
to Spafford and gives visitors a bad impression, they said.
"We
decided that (moving to Spafford) was the last move we were going
to make, and if we're going to stay here, we'd like to see it cleaned
up,'' said Peter Pirnie. What happens next? The town has received a $90,000 grant to build a
community park in the vicinity and may try to acquire the property, said
Linda DeFichy, administrator of the county Community Development Division-
Compiled by Sara Errington The Post-Standard continues its ""Clean Sweep''
campaign to target community eyesores. We want your help in identifying
blighted areas. Call Newsline at 472-2111 and enter category 4019 to
suggest a location. You also can send e-mail to
citynews@syracuse.com. | ||