Good luck with this problem. The attitude of town officials is they won’t do much for you, if anything. There are many home and business owners whose property violate town bylaws and nothing is ever done about it.

Yes I agree. Everyone in the town must work together including the Town Officials to rid Stoneham of this growing epidemic. Cleaning up Private and Public property should become a priority. My neighbor is not the nicest person in the world. He has a short fuse and bad temper. We've witnessed many of his back yard screaming tantrums with his mother. I will not approach him in fear of my life.

I find this revelation disturbing. I've been concerned the way people store trash outdoors and very carelessly.

I agree with John. Golfer6760, how about taking pictures of your neighbor’s yard and sending pictures to the Board of Health, with a copy to the TA. File a complaint. If your neighbor’s yard is as bad as you say, the town should do something. Also, ask your neighbor’s to sign the complaint with you. Also, if your neighbor's mother is a senior citizen, you can file a complaint with Elder Services regarding her safety. You will not be identified. Try Mystic Valley Elder Services in Malden, MA, will investigate the complaint and remove her or the son to protect her. This is a very disturbing revelation, as John points out.

A Nonie Mous; Trash is not the assumed problem. The neighbors landscape design with 3'+ tall grass was the concern of the exterminators visual inspection. Also, as far as me approaching any neighbor and asking them to clean up their property!!!, do I look stupid? In today's world you never know who may pull the trigger for the stupidest reason. The solution is for me to mind my business and have the exterminator maintain my property who's doing a fine job. If the town notices the problem and decides to address the problem, then so be it. I asked for everyone in the Town including the officials to work together and address any potential rodent breeding areas on their own property. Let's do it. :-)

Rats have now become a major issue in town. how do we address this? Uncovered trash is one problem that should be addressed by the Board Of Health. Start fining people. Take some action. Do your job.

I think it's time to start posting names of the landlords and homeowners who refuse to address what has been presented to them as rat problem at their property.

All issues on private property are to be handled by a licensed exterminator.