Templeton updates on abandoned properties, schedules Earth Day cleanup and discusses electronics recycling

During reports at the March 24 Town of Templeton Board of Health meeting, members provided updates on multiple abandoned-property cases and town cleanup plans for spring.

Board members said taxes on 96 Robertson Road have been fully paid and that a family member appears likely to settle the estate and take over the property. Several other properties remain in various stages of Land Court; the board said progress is occurring “one at a time.” The board mentioned work on a property at 28 Albert Drive and said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains involved in some cases.

On community cleanup, the board announced an Earth Day event planned for April 22 at Crotty Avenue near the Otter River Dam, which the town owns. Departments across town—water, light and the Department of Public Works—are expected to participate and assist with equipment.

The board discussed hazardous-waste and electronics disposal. Members said the town continues to use a neighboring hazardous-waste vendor (as named in the meeting) that accepts materials from April through October and advised residents to contact the vendor before transporting items. The meeting also recorded plans to hire staff or contractors to empty an overfull electronics shed and noted an electronics recycling location on West Broadway in Gardner as an option for residents.

No formal votes or new contracts were recorded in the transcript for the abandoned-property work, the Earth Day event or the electronics-recycling plans.