Bed-bugged folks speak up in Saugus

SAUGUS – Residents in Laurel Gardens and Laurel Tower who have kept quiet despite some recent unsettling issues were given the chance to speak their minds Friday without chance of retribution.Residents are upset by what they perceive as a lack of concern from the Housing Authority, which has jurisdiction over the housing units, over issues that range from blackouts to black mold and most notably, bedbugs.Tenant Maura Casey said Housing Authority Director Stephen Whitehurst nor anyone from “upper management” was invited to the meeting on purpose.”If we had Steven Whitehurst here no one would speak,” she said. “They’re afraid if they open their mouths they will get evicted. We needed a meeting where people could speak their minds.”John Guarino had no problem speaking his mind when it came to the issue of bedbugs. He argued that his apartment has been ruined because of them and no one from the Housing Authority stepped up to help.Tenants have been struggling with a bedbug infestation they claim is going unchecked. A memo was issued Thursday from management stating the problem was being addressed, but Joyce Griffin scoffed at the statement.Griffin said, according to her research, affected apartments need to fumigated three times at two-week intervals, but that is not happening. Others said they would like to see restitution for residents that have lost mattresses, clothes and other furniture to bedbugs.”We shouldn’t put out any amount of money, let the state do their job,” Griffin said.Griffin urged residents to get mattress covers and use white sheets, which make spotting bedbugs easier. She also warned residents to get rid of clutter, vacuum around baseboards and behind their beds carefully and clean picture frames.”Picture frame are another area that harbors the bugs,” she said. “Just get rid of clutter. You don’t need it, especially at our age.”Griffin also warned residents not to break out chemical sprays and try to take care of the problems themselves. The sprays, she explained, is illegal under the housing bylaws and can be dangerous to residents with heart problems, asthma or with other health issues.Donald Conley said he’s lived in Laurel Gardens for almost nine years and he still can’t sleep in his bedroom due to flooding and mold issues. Conley said he came to live there because he has a brain injury, but since he moved in he’s developed respiratory problems as well.Griffin said the mold is an issue in several places, as are flies according to Casey.Griffin, along with the president of the board called on the residents to put their complaints in writing so they could be presented to management during a joint meeting next month.”We need a plan,” Griffin said. “We’re not trying to fight the establishment. We want to know what we as tenants can do.”Guarino urged his neighbors to attend the meeting and speak their minds as well.”If you’re afraid Steve Whitehurst will evict you, he can’t,” he said loudly. “They’re trying to make you go and sit in the recreation room or in the corner all the time. When it comes time, open your (expletive) mouth or you’ll get nowhere.”Whitehurst could not be reached for comment.