Anna Frederickson, a Silver Creek resident for more than four decades, spoke first — with eight minutes of discussion with the Village Board during open public comments. She later reiterated her concerns before the meeting officially closed.

Frederickson focused her frustration on residential parking on sidewalks and curbs. She also criticized businesses operating in a residential neighborhood, and later complained about trash and leaves in yards.

Fredrickson, 84, was critical of vehicles being parked over curbs and sidewalks, which she stated it is up to residents to maintain. She did her part this past winter, claiming to have cleared the sidewalk near her home with a snowblower to avoid having pedestrians forced into the road.

“I don’t want those kids walking in the street. It’s too dangerous,” Frederickson said.

Pictured is Anna Frederickson, a Silver Creek resident, who spoke out at the meeting.

Frederickson has been one of the Village’s most outspoken critics of the abolishment of the Village’s police department. She claims that the issues she sees now were better maintained with more of a police presence.

“When we had our own police force, they enforced the codes of this Village. I don’t know whether people don’t know what the codes are, or they know and they don’t care, but somewhere along the line, these people should be notified what the do’s and don’ts are,” Frederickson said.

Frederickson said if the issues continue, “this village is going to be served with people that are just what the village looks like, and we don’t need this. We want to try to keep the village looking halfway decent.”

Residents are urged to file complaints with the Code Enforcement Office or contact the Village Clerk’s Office to share their concerns.

Silver Creek Mayor Jeff Hornburg responded to Frederickson by stating, “I don’t drive the village every day, so I don’t know exactly what you’re talking about, but if you give me some idea where it is, we will address it.”

Next to speak was Martha Boutet, a resident of the Town of Hanover who lives in Hanford Bay. Boutet presented Code Enforcement Officer John Kennedy with several locations in the Village of Silver Creek and the Town of Hanover that are not up to par with the rest of the neighborhood.

“I’m very, very frustrated with my ride every day to and from the village,” Boutet said.

Boutet singled out areas along Routes 5 and 20, including a vacant garage, several abandoned watercraft, and homes in disrepair and/or collecting garbage and debris on the property.

Boutet said when she and other residents have voiced their concerns, they have been told that extenuating circumstances stand in the way of any progress being made.

“It’s just so annoying that season after season, these people are not taking care of property,” Boutet said.

Boutet highlighted that the Village is located along the Seaway Trail, and questioned what the Village has to offer to attract visitors to the area. Boutet asked, “Why aren’t we capitalizing on tourism? Why are we letting delinquent people that live in the Village leave their garbage all over their property?”

Trustee Dwayne Haskins, a former zoning officer, spoke to how the problems have been ongoing for many years. He credited John Kennedy for his work as the Village Code Enforcement Officer, while putting the blame on the higher rungs of the system.

“The further you go up the chain, you get into the court — that’s where the problem begins,” Haskins said. “We can’t get it moving through the courts. We’re doing our job, but we get to a certain point and that’s it. It’s thrown out the window.”

The Town of Sheridan has faced similar issues while attempting to have the former Pawn Starz building site cleaned up after the store was destroyed in a fire. Debris has remained along Route 20 for several years as the legal system has been unable to force the property owner to clean up the mess, despite multiple fines.

Acknowledging her emotion regarding the topic, Boutet later added, “I’m not saying we have to cater to the Seaway Trail. We have to help our neighbors enjoy the route they have to take every day.”

Members of the Village Board thanked the residents who spoke and sympathized with the frustration caused by the situation.

“I would like to thank Anna and Martha for bringing their concerns to the Village Board. I know you’re frustrated, and I’m frustrated too. Many of these things have been going on for years,” Trustee Sandra Lindstrom said.

Trustee Kathy Tampio later added, “Your observations are always welcome. … It’s good to get other perspectives to show us what needs to be done better.”