Left, Town of Hull Board Members discuss a nuisance property on Maple Bluff Road. (City-Times photo)

By Brittany Waite and Brandi Makuski

A Town of Hull resident is in hot water with his neighbors and area leaders over his messy yard.

Town Chairman John Holdridge said a Maple Bluff Road property owned by area resident Bill Konopacky has been a thorn in the side of town leaders for several months, though he couldn’t say exactly when problems with the property started. Neighboring residents, he said, have been registering complaints with town leaders for some time and the Town Board was finally able to hold a public hearing on the issue last week.

Konopacky, whose yard neighbors say is filled with a mix of debris, trailers, piles of lumber and an unknown number of vehicles, says he’s got plans for a remodel of the property, which includes a gazebo, storage shed and barn as well as extended landscaping and vegetation.

“Your backyard plans are beautiful,” said neighbor Phyllis May after hearing his plans. “All we care about is the removal of all of the trash.”

May, along with other residents, said the property’s appearance was devaluing neighboring properties. She added the yard “looks like a landfill”.

Konopacky argued the vehicles parked on his property were all legally registered and operable, but others complained the vehicles were old and unsightly.

“They might be (operable) but they’re not very brand new, they’re all 15 years old,” said neighbor Ralph Banke. “You’re looking at a $35,000 mobile home and comparing it to your junk trailer.”

“Because I don’t have a $35,000 trailer I can’t park it in the yard?” Asked Konopacky. “Vehicles are vehicles, are they not? I have every right to park here.”

Konopacky asked town leaders to give him until the end of July to comply with the town’s nuisance ordinance. He said many yards take “more than 20 years to flourish” and pointed out he’s only lived on the property for five years.

Town leaders and Konopacky all say they have hired lawyers in preparation for any possible legal action the town may take. Hull recently expanded its nuisance ordinance to include protecting property owners from devaluation.

Holdridge and other town leaders are considering the town’s options after consulting with legal counsel. Konopacky could be ordered by the town to clear his property out or face further legal action.