Just to clarify, there is no water in the pool at 204 W. Chestnut, as confirmed by both the fire department and me when the complaint was originally made. There is water present in a similar above-ground pool at nearby 30 New Street (another foreclosed house). The fire department has pledged to get that pool drained ASAP. I understand -- and share -- your frustration about 204 W. Chestnut, JS (I live on the street, too), and we are trying to find the mortgage holder and a solution. In years past, the DPW "Task Force" usually handled situations like this, but that unit no longer really exists, due to the extensive personnel reductions at DPW.

One potential solution that I am pursuing: deployment of YouthBuild or other teams to tend yards at foreclosed houses, with the bill for their services going to the mortgage companies that hold deed.

Other suggestions? Please share; I'm eager to hear them!

-- Hayes Clement