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Residents press Town of Union to act after reports of severe rat infestation and hoarding
Summary
At the Sept. 4 Town of Union Board meeting residents described persistent rat infestations and hoarding conditions at two Endwell properties; the town attorney said the Town lacks an expert report to obtain a court-ordered cleanup and pledged to follow up with the Department of Health and the Code Department.
At a Sept. 4 meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Union in Endwell, residents urged town officials to take stronger action after complaints about property maintenance and an escalating rat problem.
Resident Adrienne Dibble told the board she has been trying since June 2023 to get enforcement at 301 West Wendell Street and said the Broome County Health Department has visited. According to Dibble, the Health Department’s Ben Holden told her “it is the worst rat infestation he has ever seen.” She said neighbors have documented holes in yards, bait traps set in garages and worsening odors, and she urged the Town to hire an expert or contractor to address the interior and exterior conditions.
Town Attorney Alan J. Pope responded that the Town has reviewed the available evidence but “we do not have enough proof to go to Supreme Court to get an administrative warrant or to do any type of cleanup,” explaining that the Town needs an independent expert opinion or an official Health Department report to demonstrate the conditions to a judge. Pope said he had not previously known of a Health Department visit and asked Dibble to provide contact information so he can obtain any report. He said he would finish an email response and follow up after meeting with Codes next week.
Another resident, Norma Donlin, asked for an update on 3613 Dean Drive, citing tires with standing water and mosquito concerns. Supervisor Robert Mack said the Code Department had been directed to reach out to contractors for cleanup and that the Board would “try to escalate this as much as we can.”
Dibble also reported she had arranged baiting and removal on her property after attempts to get enforcement, and that one neighbor’s house had a long history of code flags and was considered unsafe for firefighters to enter. The Town Attorney noted that cases where the Town previously secured an administrative warrant included neighbor affidavits and expert reports; he said similar documentation would be necessary here.
No formal enforcement action was announced at the meeting. Pope said his office will contact the Broome County Health Department for any written report and will follow up with Codes; Board members indicated they would pursue the matter further with staff.
Next steps: Town Attorney Alan J. Pope will seek any Health Department documentation and follow up with the Code Department; residents were told to expect an email update from the Town Attorney.
