Vacant Saugus homes vandalized

SAUGUS – The four houses on Hitching Hill Road sitting atop an unstable retaining wall are posing another safety problem for residents, since they’ve become targets of teens and vandals.Several Hitching Hill Road residents joined their Hesper Street neighbors Tuesday for a meeting with town officials over the deteriorating condition of not just the retaining wall, but also the homes themselves.Several neighbors said they suspected the homes were becoming hangouts for local teens. Another said he heard banging in one of the homes as early as 2 a.m.Building Inspector Frederick Varone told residents that a cease and desist order had been issued on all four homes and no one should be entering or working on them.The front door on each home sports a red work stoppage sign but Varone said he, too, has seen evidence that at least one home had been broken into with what appeared to be a hammer.Fire Chief James Blanchard, who had men at the site during a recent heavy rainstorm, said the siding is also coming off one home, causing quite a racket when the wind blows.Police Lt. Mike Annese said the police have only received one call regarding trespassing in the area and that was in early August. Neighbors admitted they had not called the police, despite their concern.Hesper Street resident Paul Giansiracusa suggested a perimeter fence be put up along the street, which should be considered public property.However, Hitching Hill Road is part of an unfinished sub-division, therefore the town hasn’t accepted the street yet. Town Counsel John Vasapolli pointed out that made the roadway private property. He said while the town, according to state building regulations, could still erect a safety fence aimed at keeping people off the property, it could also leave the town open for liability.But Wednesday Town Manager Andrew Bisignani changed his mind after a pair of state inspectors voiced their concerns over leaving the property open to the public.Bisignani said he discussed the issue briefly with Selectmen Stephen Castinetti and Peter Rossetti, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, as well as Michael Kelleher.”They agreed so I’ve decided to move ahead with the fence,” he said. “(The inspectors) said the town is doing everything right but the first thing they did bring up was the fence.”