Attorney: Saugus trash bin drawing rats not moved

SAUGUS – An attorney is alleging that the trash bin behind Banana Splitz at 526 Lincoln Ave. has continued to draw rats to Cliftondale Square, despite a promise from the property owners to move it by Aug. 8.”That’s the source of the problems,” said attorney Marc Chapdelaine, who represents residents on neighboring Lincoln Court.The guarantee, made by the owners of 508 and 526 Lincoln Ave., was in response to a letter that was sent directly to them on June 23. Chapdelaine sent another letter to Saugus Zoning Officer Fred Varone on July 10, asking that the trash bin be moved behind Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts at 508 Lincoln Ave.”I don’t know what the problem is,” said Chapdelaine.Should the trash bin remain in its present location, he explained that the next step will be to request a hearing before the Saugus Board of Health to suspend the food licenses at Banana Splitz, Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway.Chapdelaine was baffled that the owners had time to renovate Dunkin’ Donuts, yet they did not have time to move the trash bin.”We’re getting nowhere fast,” he said.In addition to the rat problem, Chapdelaine said that the owners are also violating the town’s zoning bylaws as the trash bin is located less than 25 feet from the closest residential property.Banana Splitz currently shares the trash bin with Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts. Therefore, Chapdelaine said, it is almost always overflowing with trash.”That’s problematic,” he said.The approximate number of rats in the area remains unclear as they live and reproduce underground, emerging only to eat. Chapdelaine explained that a female rat can have as many as 12 young at the end of each 22-day gestation period.”It’s kind of a difficult situation,” he said.Although traps have been placed around the trash bin, Chapdelaine said he is of the understanding that they contain poison.”It creates quite a public health problem having these rats, laced with poison, dying around the neighborhood,” he said.While it could take longer to completely get rid of the rodents, the first step is moving the trash bin.”No solution can exist unless it begins with moving the Dumpster,” said Chapdelaine.Public Health Director Frank Giacalone responded with a letter dated July 11 saying that he had traveled to Cliftondale Square and “conducted several unannounced inspections.” He never found anything except for some overgrown grass that “needed to be cut back.” However, Giacalone maintained that “the owners of this property are planning on moving the Dumpster to a more suitable location in response to the neighbor’s concerns.”