Video: Springfield residents raise concerns about rundown buildings

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Springfield residents raise concerns about rundown buildings Posted: Feb 23, 2016 3:25 PM EST Updated: Feb 23, 2016 7:02 PM EST By Adam SullivanCONNECT Close XEmbed Video CodeLink to Video SPRINGFIELD, Vt. - As residents walk the sidewalks in Springfield, rundown buildings are sprinkled throughout their paths. But the town select board is trying to change that. "The town select board is trying to be proactive in looking at how we handle our dilapidated and blighted properties," said Kristi Morris, select board chair. Back in the mid-1950s, Springfield was a thriving manufacturing town. But as the machine tool industry moved overseas, so, too, did the jobs. "When you didn't have the high-paying jobs, it is like any other town. It was hard for other businesses to make a go of it, too," said Dick Andrews, Union-Park Neighborhood Association. Andrews has lived in this community on and off for more than six decades. His neighborhood association is also raising concerns about rundown and blighted properties nearby. "I think we are as much as anything supporting the selectmen in their efforts to improve the town, not just attracting new businesses but by encouraging people to take better care of their properties and neighborhoods so that people will be glad to live here," said Andrews. The article on the Town Meeting Day warrant only asks residents to acknowledge that these properties do exist in the community. Town officials say by doing so, it could open the door to state grants down the road. One blighted home is right across the street from an elementary school. It's one of several reasons town officials want them gone. "Obviously to improve property values. Springfield is a depressed economy right now. Economic conditions in Springfield have been poor for a number of years," said Morris. And there are additional concerns as well, like drugs and gang activity that comes with the territory. "There is concern that blighted properties do attract people who don't have the community's best interest at heart and drugs is certainly part of that," said Andrews. The article is simply a first step. If approved voters will have to approval additional plans to deal with the individuals properties. But supporters say it's a key step, helping to return this town to the thriving community it once was.