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Resident Trina Osborne urges city action after years-long pond, mosquito hazard near Radcliffe City Park
Summary
Trina Osborne told the council she and neighbors reported a private development that cleared trees three years ago, left burned debris and created a deep pond that drew massive mosquito infestations; she said calls to city hall and the health department went unanswered until a Facebook post prompted code enforcement action.
Trina Osborne, a Radcliffe resident, told the council during public comment that a private development adjacent to Radcliffe City Park has created a dangerous situation that went unaddressed for years. "They tore down 0.5 the woods right on Radcliffe City Park...it ended up building a pond that was deep. I didn't know how deep it was until I put it on Facebook," Osborne said, adding she estimated the pond was "at least 60 feet, maybe deeper," and described a severe mosquito infestation.
Mayor pro tem Tim (speaking for the council in the mayor's absence) acknowledged the complaint but said he had not been aware of the issue before the Facebook post and that the city has since seen action. "To your point, things are being done. The property is being filled in. I hope that that will satisfy the issue," he said, while stressing that the property is private and some details remained with the mayor's office to follow up on.
Osborne said she had repeatedly contacted city hall and the health department without response and only received attention after posting about the pond on social media. She described debris piles that were burned and left and said she feared for children's safety and noted the mosquito problem. "The mosquito infestation over there was crazy," she said.
Council members who spoke urged Osborne to meet with the mayor and noted the city is working on improved communications with residents to reduce reliance on social media for reporting urgent local hazards. The council said code enforcement had visited and work to fill the pond had begun. The mayor pro tem also noted there may be historical file records regarding sinkhole concerns on the site that could affect what can be done there.
