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One man's trash isn't always another man's treasure

12/09/08 · 4:43 pm :: posted by Peter Robbins     

UPDATE: What a difference a day (and a little exposure) makes

robbins_phinneys3_599
The eyesore on Phinneys Lane is no more as of Thursday.  

Sometimes it's just trash

robbins_phinneys1_599

Story & Photographs by Peter Robbins

This time of the year is difficult for everyone.  Some have loved ones overseas, people are out of work, uncertainty about the future abounds, and others are just trying to stay warm. With concerns such as these weighing on the mind, it is sometimes uplifting to drive around at dusk and enjoy the various decorations and lights people display on their homes during the Christmas Season.

This year I noticed less home displays than in previous years.   I hope people are just waiting to turn the holiday lights on closer to Christmas to save energy. 

robbins_phinneys2_300Thinking about lawn "decorations",  I considered the  old saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure" and I came to the realization that that isn't always so.  Sometimes it becomes a health hazard.

Phinneys Lane in Centerville is one of the most highly traveled roads in the town of Barnstable.  As I've driven by for weeks now, 854 Phinneys Lane has been "decorated" with trash at the street side.  Trash bags continue to be invaded by varmints and even though public officials drive by the home numerous times during the day, the eyesore remains.

It's quite a contrast to the home decorated for the holiday just a few doors down.

The house appears vacant.  The front storm door blows in the breeze and other discarded items are visible in the yard.  A real estate sign, bearing one Christmas color, is located next to the garbage.  This would be of great concern to me if I were the listing agent, yet nothing has been done.

I hope this article finds its way to the party responsible for this neighborhood eyesore or at least to the appropriate town authority for enforcement.

11 comments
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12/09/08 @ 5:29 pm
capedoggie [Member] writes:
If the trash in the driveway is such an eyesore, and you have driven by it for weeks, couldn't you or someone from "down the street" call the listing agent and tell them to get off their fat ass, clean up the mess, and get ready to get their 6% commission on this "desirable Cape in Centerville"

Thanks for listening

Dog
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
12/09/08 @ 9:26 pm
karent2 [Member] writes:
Never mind the private call. This is even better. Embarassment works better tha civility in cases like this. Too bad we don't know the name of the real estate company. Anyone from the area know the sign?
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
12/09/08 @ 10:16 pm
somebunny [Visitor] writes:
karent2, it looks like Brazilian real estate. If i'm not mistaken, I've walked by it on W.Main in Hyannis.
12/09/08 @ 10:17 pm
somebunny [Visitor] writes:
I think it also says viviane on the sign... as the contact.
12/10/08 @ 7:18 am
murrbuck [Member] writes:
This is a bank owned property for sale, some loser dumped their trash there. and isn't the police station on that road? Why wouldn't they see the creeps who did this? call the real estate co. that has it for sale and demand that it be removed. simple. and maybe the neighbors should keep a better eye out on what's happening around them. p.s. the house is for sale for:$209,000.00 any takers?
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
12/10/08 @ 7:26 am
murrbuck [Member] writes:
My oops! listing says it's still a short sale...Are the people really still in it, though? I didn't think they were- but whatever. I'm sick of people dumping sh*t all over the place. It really bugs me. If the people are still in it then if anyone calls these people on this then you know where all of it will be when they do move out: All over the inside of the house. The auction sale date is: 1/16/2009 at 11:00. But a call to the real estate company that has it wouldn't hurt.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
12/10/08 @ 7:51 pm
voiceofreason22 [Member] writes:
Here, here....I have grown tired of people not taking care of their personal responsiblities and just leaving it for somebody else to mop up.

However, when you say "and even though public officials drive by the home numerous times during the day", I disagree.

That's such a silly statement.....I am sure they have more to worry about than a pile of garbage on Phinney's lane.

Put the blame and burden where it belongs, on the property owner, make this their problem and responsibility......I have had enough of everyone asking our government to handle everything for them.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
12/10/08 @ 8:35 pm
Buzz [Member] writes:
reason,

I disagree. If the garbage has been their for over a week, I'm sure town officials have been notified and done nothing about it. It's a health issue as well as a public eyesore. Get some DPW workers over their, clean it up and send a bill/fine to the homeowner.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
12/10/08 @ 8:41 pm
Peter Robbins [Member] writes:
Agreed. My intent was not to place the blame or burden on anyone. Although the town of Barnstable, to it's credit, returned an email and agreed to look into the situation and enforce appropriate laws. The parties that abandoned the garbage are the ones that are on the hook. The garbage isn't the problem. The fact that it remains is. No one is pointing fingers nor was the article intended to. Silly statement or not,it is not the neighbors obligation to clean up the mess, the property owner owns the problem. When problems are ignored, does it then become the neighbors obligation to resolve it. I think not, it was brought to the attention of the authority that could resolve it, and I am confident in my town that they will. Thats what our gov't does. With a 5 million dollar shortfall in the school budget, they have other priorities, as I do. We have an obligation to bring it to someones attention, no differant than a barking dog complaint keeping you awake all night, the authorities have better things to do, but it is taken care of, which one is more problematic? The dog or the garbage ?
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
12/10/08 @ 8:51 pm
possee [Member] writes:
Call Obama for hope and perhaps it'll be taken care of..
Or call the real estate agent trying to sell the house..with sales tanked, maybe someone will take the initiative to clean it up!
Or call the DPH as a public health hazard..
Or call the Environmetal Police as a hazmat threat..
Call Sheriff Cummings and have some of the most desirables incarcerated clean it up and get some fresh air..

.. with all that's going on..this is a serious problem?

possee
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
12/10/08 @ 8:57 pm
Buzz [Member] writes:
possee,

Great idea. Say there's a broken fluorescent light bulb in the bag and it's a hazmat incident. I like that.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
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About This Blog

psr140_191Peter Robbins has spent 25 years in law enforcement, and has testified in many jurisdictions as an expert witness in the forensic field as well as traveling the world lecturing on physical evidence and pioneering new training programs.

He is Past president and co-founder of the International Homicide Investigators Association, Peter has received many awards and recognitions for his accomplishments in the forensic and law enforcement training fields and for initiatives in Multi-Agency Cooperative Efforts.

A native Cape Codder of many generations, avid photographer, licensed captain and family man, Peter and his wife have a private investigative and consulting business. He can be reached by email here. 

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