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Resident alleges property damage, improper access and inconsistent police reporting during public comment
Summary
A Hopkinton resident told the council he believes town staff and others have allowed repeated trespass and property damage on his land, and said police have not accepted rebuttal information for reports he disputes; he requested the council and police help protect his property rights.
Douglas York, a Hopkinton resident, used the council's public-comment period on July 21 to detail an ongoing dispute he said involves unauthorized access to his property, property damage and inconsistent police reporting.
"I really don't want to be here, but, unfortunately, as long as my property is being damaged and my rights are being violated, I have to come," York said. He described a series of incidents he said began after a building permit and subdivision approval were issued for neighboring property for which he claims there was never deeded access. He said material and heavy stone were placed on his land and that machinery was used without his permission.
York said he signed a consent order that included a provision barring harassment and that he now believes the order has been violated repeatedly. He said he has attempted to file rebuttals to police reports he disputes but that the police declined to accept his additional information. "When I go down and they write a police report that favors the people that are violating my property rights, I go down and they say, 'We're not taking any more information,'" he said.
He named several people he said have entered or worked on his land without permission, including Peter Gingerella and others, and said material left on his property includes sharp rocks that could damage vehicle or motorcycle tires and present a safety risk. He asked the council to direct the police department to protect his property rights and to ensure police reports accurately reflect events.
York described property damage he said has left deepened ground that requires substantial fill and said he had sent a demand letter instructing others not to disturb the property until matters were resolved in court, but said work continued. He said he had tried to resolve the matter through conversations with police and town staff but that he remains dissatisfied with the response.
Council members did not take immediate action during public comment; the mayor (or presiding councilor) thanked York for his remarks and moved the meeting to the next agenda item. York's public comment puts the matter on the council's record; if the resident pursues legal remedies or requests town action, the council or staff may return the matter to a future agenda for further consideration.
