By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — When Hitching Hill Road residents Ferruccio and Joanne Romeo bought their home in 2001, they never imagined they’d be fighting for the road, curbing and sidewalks to be installed 16 years later.
But that’s what they’re doing.
John Mallon committed to constructing the Bellevue Heights subdivision nearly 18 years ago. The project is yet to be completed.
Conceived as a 28-lot subdivision with panoramic views from single-family homes, Bellevue Heights hit a snag when a retaining wall collapsed in 2008. The timing of the collapse could not have been worse for a private developer with the economy and housing market sinking, said Mallon. Since then, 21 houses have been built and are occupied.
Last October, Planning Board and Board of Selectmen officials voiced frustrations with Mallon and the never-ending project at a public meeting. Mallon is expected to complete the project by the end of June. Should he miss any of the deadlines, a surety bond of $50,000 will be seized to finish the work. Mallon estimates it will cost about $65,000.
At a meeting last week, Mallon was expected to outline his target dates for the remaining work that needs to be completed. Instead, he told board members he wanted a lot that has not been developed yet to be released to him and his bond to be reduced.
Planning Board Chairman Peter Rossetti said bonds have been reduced in the past when developers have completed an adequate amount of work. Town Manager Scott Crabtree and Town Counsel have been notified of the request.
“I told him that we would not entertain either of those questions without more board members present,” Rossetti said. “ I didn’t feel it was fair to the missing board members who are familiar with the project to make any decisions until we had them back at the next meeting. (Mallon) had certain obligations he was supposed to meet. He says he has met those obligations and we disagree. It’s in the hands of Town Counsel now.”
Among ongoing issues with the site, the electricity bill has been unpaid for about a year, said Rossetti. If left unpaid, the electric company will stop providing power for the street lights and cause a safety hazard for the 21 families who live in the subdivision, he said.
Rossetti estimates that about $10,000 is owed to National Grid. He told Mallon that if the town had to step up and pay for the electricity, which is Mallon’s responsibility until the site is released to the town, they would pursue legal action.
“Get that bond reduced and I’ll pay it,” Mallon told the board. “I poured more money into it and (a request to reduce the bond) was denied. I’m not doing it again.”
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Rossetti told residents that the goal was to finish the project by the June 30 deadline, even if the town had to pay for it.
“If he were not to finish the job, potentially the town could take his lot and use the funds for that to finish the project,” he said.
Rossetti said the lot is at least 10,000 square feet in size. It’s located across the street from the Romeos’ home.
Their bird’s-eye view of town is obstructed with construction equipment, boulders and half-placed Jersey barriers, which were never put in place properly.
“We were the first to move in,” said Joanne. “We moved here thinking this was a wonderful development. I wanted to live on a cul de sac and I was told this would be one. I’ve never heard of a development taking 18 years. If anyone came to me and said ‘what do you think about us moving (to the newly constructed homes),’ I’d say don’t.”
Ferruccio said all he cares about is whether the road, sidewalk and curbing is completed.
“We just want it finished,” he said. “We’re not looking to cause problems.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.
