Residents press borough to act on chronic trash and rodent complaints at 30 Cole Street
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Summary
Several Elmwood Park residents told the council on March 20 that trash, unsecured garbage bags and signs of rats at a house on Cole Street have persisted for months. Borough staff said the matter will be re-referred to the building department and board of health for investigation.
Multiple residents addressed the Elmwood Park Mayor and Council during public comment on March 20 about a long-standing nuisance at 30 Cole Street they said includes accumulated garbage, broken fencing, and rodents. Residents described recurring trash piles and said sanitation and health concerns have spread to neighboring yards.
Speakers asked what enforcement steps the borough could take. Council and staff said they would re-open the complaint and coordinate the building department and board of health to inspect and pursue enforcement. Borough officials told speakers the county had previously intervened to remove material from the yard but that follow-up action is needed; the meeting record shows staff agreed to re-file the complaint and follow standard enforcement procedures.
What residents said: Several people who live near the property described seeing rats and a persistent stench, said garbage bags had broken and scattered, and reported that the property's condition has carried over for months. One resident said law enforcement and building inspectors had previously visited and that a county agency had once cleared the yard, but the problem reoccurred.
Borough response: Staff indicated the building department had not logged a complaint for 2025 in its assignment tracker and that the borough would treat the residents' remarks as a new complaint. The board of health secretary and borough staff said they would follow up starting the next business day and that enforcement or county assistance would be sought as appropriate.