Bradford City Council hears of Abbott Road issues.

It was a familiar complaint from Abbott Road residents: retired schoolteacher Nancy Fire’s alleged disruptive behaviour is escalating again.

At Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting, neighbour Michele Cleveland presented the board with complaints and photos of Fire’s home at 29 Abbott Road.

“She’s throwing the garbage out into the bushes,” Cleveland explained, adding that animals get into it and it ends up on the street.

Her lawn is not mowed. She makes loud noises all night. “I have skunks over there ripping the bags apart. “I have cats going up on the porch ripping stuff apart,” Cleveland said. “What I pay in taxes on that street, I shouldn’t have to look across the street.

“The city mowed her lawn for her but now they don’t want to do it?” she questioned. Rather than mow her own lawn, she would pay a fine and have someone from the city mow it.

That appears to have ended. “I don’t know all the details,” stated Mayor Tom Riel. The city and police department attempted to work with her, as did the Area Office of Ageing, but Fire refused assistance, he said.

The Board of Health has now become involved in her garbage and lawn situation. “She’s being cited and that house is being brought before the Board of Health to be declared a public nuisance,” Riel told reporters.

It’s scheduled for August 12.

The mayor continued, “It’s difficult to help people who don’t want to be helped. It’s now become a health concern. We are taking steps, but they are not straightforward.” She is facing criminal charges after being accused of making threats and continuing to harass others.

However, her case has not progressed because she was deemed unfit for trial. Cleveland believes they are wasting 911 resources by calling throughout the night, “Nancy’s slamming, Nancy’s screaming, Nancy’s throwing.”

“We understand,” said City Police Chief Mike Ward, “but it’s building a record.” Jim Tingley then addressed council about the November vote on home rule, claiming that it will not benefit city residents and will instead increase taxes.

Riel denied this, saying, “We don’t want to raise property taxes because we all live here.” We want to raise revenue through alternative taxes.

We’re not trying to push this through. “What you said is incorrect.” Tingley stated, “I only see negative things happening to the property owners in this city.

“I hope I am proven wrong.” Councilman Fred Proper reminded Tingley that the council’s role in this process is complete. Now it is up to the public to make a decision.

“Council has voted to move forward with the study commission, that’s all the further we can go,” according to him. “We, as a council, must stay completely away from that. It is the commission’s responsibility to develop a home rule charter and present it to the community.

Basically, we can’t move forward with selling or not selling it.” The council approved a “vacant property registration” ordinance on first reading during the meeting’s new business portion.

It addresses foreclosed properties and establishes maintenance obligations. The agenda included approval of a change order for the Callahan Park project.

Bob Cummins Construction Co. experienced additional work due to tree roots, installed a sanitary drain line for the water fountains, and added an additional portion of sidewalk, for a total of $6,880.

A $4,742.58 T-Mobile Hometown Grant has been approved for Small Town Girl Boutique to purchase and install laminate flooring as well as new dressing rooms at 125 Main St. The overall project cost is $9,485.16.

Also approved were the following:

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