Article Summary: The owner of a long-problematic property on Catalpa Street has cleaned up the yard and ordered a dumpster, showing significant progress after years of complaints and recent threats of further legal action from the village. Officials expressed cautious optimism but vowed to continue monitoring the situation.

Catalpa Property Cleanup Key Points:

• The property was the subject of numerous neighbor complaints regarding junk and foul odors at a June 9 board meeting.

• Police Chief Terry Lemming reported the homeowner has made a “substantial effort” to resolve the code violations.

• The cleanup included ordering a dumpster and removing structures from the yard.

BEECHER – A month after threatening to escalate legal action against the owner of a nuisance property on Catalpa Street, Beecher officials reported a significant breakthrough. The homeowner has undertaken a major cleanup effort, addressing long-standing issues that had drawn the ire of neighbors for years.

During the Beecher Village Board’s July 14 meeting, Police Chief Terry Lemming provided an update on the property, which was the focus of a lengthy discussion at the board’s previous meeting. At that time, neighbors complained of persistent foul odors from dog feces on a deck, junk in the yard, and a general state of disrepair.

“I’m happy to say that they made a substantial effort at that house and things are looking really good,” Lemming reported. He noted that the homeowner had ordered a dumpster, removed some structures, and cut down overgrown weeds. “We’re very happy with what they did. I think the neighbors will be very happy.”

While the progress was praised, officials remain “cautiously optimistic,” acknowledging the property’s history of temporary improvements followed by a return to neglect. Chief Lemming assured the board that code enforcement would continue to monitor the property to ensure the cleanup is maintained long-term.