Rutland neighbors press select board over Quarter Line property, cite sewage, RVs and needles

Residents of a neighborhood off Quarter Line Road told the Rutland Town Select Board on Aug. 12 they are alarmed by persistent activity at a property owned by a longtime resident, including multiple parked RVs, tents, open-air gatherings, discarded needles and an intermittent smell of sewage.

Why it matters: Neighbors said the property’s condition has created safety and sanitation concerns near family homes and a school route. Town police and the health officer told the board they would pursue inspections and enforcement steps where their authority allows, and the town provided a state environmental-contact for wastewater complaints.

Several residents described repeated, late-night activity and trespass. “There’s a lot of activity where it’s just people randomly walking up and down the street,” said Karen Pizzetti, a neighbor who said she had found syringes and debris near the property. Resident Keith Schneider told the board he could smell sewage and asked whether the town’s health officer could inspect the site.

Town officials responded with immediate next steps. Chief Ed Dumas, town police chief, said the department will continue enforcement work and undertake knock-and-talk visits with the property owner and occupants when possible. “When we get the opportunity, we will do everything in our power to make [the property owner’s] life as uncomfortable as we possibly can and get rid of this problem in your neighborhood,” Dumas said.

John Paul, the town health officer (referred to in the meeting as JP), said the town does not control septic enforcement but can inspect the property for observable health violations and will help residents reach the proper state inspectors. At the meeting he agreed to try to visit the site within days. Paul also directed neighbors to contact the state environmental enforcement officer for wastewater complaints; the board supplied the state contact as Patrick Lowkes at (802) 747-8127.

Officials advised neighbors to document incidents. Dumas urged photo or video evidence and repeated calls to dispatch when problems occur so police can establish probable cause for enforcement actions. He also noted limits on police authority for entry without probable cause and described the eviction process as a civil remedy that property owners must pursue in court.

The board offered follow-up steps: the health officer and police will coordinate an inspection and “knock-and-talk,” the town will check dog-registration records with animal control, and staff will pass written contact information back to neighbors for the state environmental official. Select Board members asked neighbors to continue calling dispatch when incidents occur and to preserve video or photos as evidence.

Ending: Neighbors said they will continue to press for inspections and to call the police when incidents occur. Town staff and the police asked residents to email or call the select board and the town office with follow-up evidence; the board said it will monitor next steps and update neighbors at upcoming meetings.