Donora cleans up property to address rat complaints

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Members of the Doora Street Department spent Thursday clearing trash and debris from a yard in Cement City after Mayor Jim McDonough declared the site a public nuisance.

“We’ve been addressing the problem with the homeowner. He’s been cited repeatedly,” McDonough said.

But the absentee owner, who reportedly called the borough building Thursday to say he’s living in a homeless shelter, had not taken action to clear the property. Neighbors have complained about rats.

McDonough said having the borough crew clean the lot was a last resort.

“I always want the responsibility (to be on) a responsible homeowner to clean up their property,” he said. “It shouldn’t be at the cost of the taxpayers.”

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