Root Road residents appeared before the Sweden Town Board on January 23 to ask the town to enforce its junk, abandoned vehicles, and open burning ordinances against the owners of 575 Root Road.

Neighbors claim that truck loads of construction debris and household waste are brought to the residential property and dumped illegally. At least one mound of trash now stands 30 feet high and the property owners use snow plows to move new trash into piles, the neighbors allege.

Marianne and Bob Jones and Donna and Paul Eigbrett told board members the years-old problem has escalated to the point that they fear contamination of wetlands, a stream and the groundwater. They fear for their safety due to frequent, and they claim irresponsible, semi-automatic gun fire. And they say they know, through realtors, engineers and prospective buyers, that the values of their properties have decreased.

Presenting photographs of the property, Bob Jones told the board that "we’ve been patient so far. We’ve tried to resolve our problems with our neighbors ourselves. Part of the problem is they don’t believe that the town will take any action."

Supervisor Buddy Lester told the two couples that the town would take immediate action in regards to its applicable ordinances.

In other business from the January 23 Sweden Town Board meeting: Following a meeting with residents of Gallup, Skidmore and Gordon Roads, Highway Supervisor Craig Smith will stake out a proposed water line that would serve approximately 67 residents of that neighborhood. Residents are split on the proposal, with some eager to have water come to the somewhat rural eastern section of town, others are opposed. The stakes will show residents exactly where the water line would run. In order to form a water district in the neighborhood, half the residents representing half the assessed valuation of the affected properties would have to sign a petition in favor of the project.