A clean line from Saugus to West Lynn

LYNN – After moving to Illinois for a change of scenery, Susan Connors returned to Lynn and found herself filled with pride over how her South Street neighborhood is reshaping itself.Connors and more than a dozen residents are spearheading an effort to help neighbors spruce up their homes and improve public areas, including streets and the abandoned railroad right of way that runs from Saugus across West Lynn to Bennett Street.”It’s an eyesore that attracts homeless people,” Connors said.Armed with a weed whacker, she joined fellow Neptune Street Court resident Martza Figueroa in cutting and sweeping up weeds growing on their dead-end street in preparation for a Friday and Saturday cleanup encompassing South Street and side streets like Neptune Street Court and South Street Court.The Friday cleanup starts at noon and work begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Figueroa, who operates a daycare center in the South Street neighborhood, said residents have already made progress in clearing weeds and overgrown trees along the rail bed.”It looked like a jungle, but now we are working together to clean it up,” she said.Connors and Figueroa said two couches dragged underneath a raised loading dock bordering the railbed are evidence that homeless people and others congregate along the tracks.”It’s disgusting. Kids come out and play right around here,” Connors said.Neptune Street Court resident Lisa Wallace said police previously assigned to foot patrols and bicycle routes did a good job preventing loitering along the railbed and making neighbors feel more secure.She said the South Street neighborhood’s security has improved as residents meet one another and share a common interest in cleanups. Wallace moved to West Lynn from Saugus in 2012 and made a point of meeting her neighbors.”When I first moved here, no one knew each other,” she said.The introductions helped Wallace and her neighbors identify common problems they could tackle on their streets. They got sidewalks paved and offered to help neighbors who needed assistance making home improvements.They nicknamed their improvement campaign “One Community One Voice.” Wallace said the name reflects the common interests shared by residents from many different backgrounds and the help neighbors have received from Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development, the city Public Works Department, Lynn Community Association, City Councilor Peter Capano and other local agencies and officials.West Lynn real estate agent Christina Crawley said One Community One Voice’s work has paid off.”It’s a huge benefit to this area. There is really good pride in ownership,” Crawley said.Neptune Street Court resident Jeffrey Chea had reservations about moving onto his street three years ago but said he is glad he did.”Things are getting better,” Chea said.Wallace said One Community One Voice plans to help 18 South Street homeowners paint, landscape and make other improvements to their property this weekend. Connors said the effort is proof she made the right decision to return home.”I love how Lynn is trying to clean itself up,” she said. To contact One Community One Voice please visit Facebook.com/ocovma for information and details on this week’s cleanup.