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Resident raises safety and lead‑exposure concerns at 40 Judson Street
Summary
Resident Dave Murphy told the Canton Village Board that a neighboring property at 40 Judson Street has fallen into disrepair, drawing pigeons, exposing neighbors to dust from power‑sanding that may contain lead, and recently involved a 9‑year‑old working on a porch roof with sheet metal. Code/DPW staff said they will review the property history and enforcement options.
Dave Murphy, a Canton property owner, told the Village Board during public comment that a house next to his at 40 Judson Street has been in a state of deterioration for years and is creating nuisance and health concerns for neighbors. "Both porches are clearly in code violation," he said, adding that the property had attracted pigeons that entered neighboring homes and garages.
Murphy said he observed extensive DIY paint removal last summer and that workers used power sanders with minimal protective gear. "If you power sand that lead, you volatilize the lead, it becomes a dust. You inhale it and it accumulates in your body," he told the board, urging the village to consider the public‑health implications because his backyard, where his children play, is about 30 feet from the house.
He also reported a recent incident in which a child he estimated to be about 9 years old spent two to three hours on top of a porch roof lifting sheet metal without protective equipment. "Sheet metal ... is extremely sharp," Murphy said. "That was one alarming thing that spurred me to come in." Murphy said he did not want to stop progress on repairs but wanted the board to be aware and to check whether the property had been cited previously.
Tim, a code/DPW staff member, responded that he has historical records on the property and noted a legal constraint on minors working on construction sites. "It's definitely illegal to have anybody under the age of 18 working on" such work, he said, and told the board he would review the property history and follow up on potential violations.
The board did not take formal enforcement action during the meeting. Tim and other staff indicated they would investigate the property's compliance history and the reported child‑safety and lead‑dust concerns; no timeline was set in the public meeting for follow‑up. The village clerk confirmed that officials in attendance heard the complaint and that the appropriate staff members are positioned to review the matter.
