North Weymouth Deteriorating...

[goyguy]

Originally Posted by ThinkingThinking

LOL, I know nothing about the towns in question, but I find it humorous that all of the graffiti seems to be done by one or perhaps two bored teenagers, judging by the art. Theres the same face in two of the pictures and the same "signiture" in the others. (As an art student I knew a few "taggers" as they are called. Annoying and destructive, yes, but I did learn to tell the difference between Gang and Tag)
My current neighborhood has gang graffiti... bored teens are much more preferable to the gangs.

Agreed, there's no "gravity" to that spray-can art. What's stopping any individual or group from posting notices about cleanup of the flagpole and the wall, both of which appear to be on public property, then following through? Ditto with a petition/letter to the owner of the rug business. Too bad it's easier to dodge or run from what's really only an aesthetic issue, than to tackle it head-on. Apathy and inaction are what spawn real social problems.

But having said that, there are quite a few areas that are similar in feel and economic level to North Weymouth, including some within the same city. Close at hand would be Braintree, Abington, and Hanover for starters. I also like Norwood; since it's in the same Route 1 corridor as Dedham + Walpole + Westwood I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned. There's a nice mix of post-WWII developments and older houses, the public schools are decent - definitely on if not above par with those of Weymouth, the town center along Washington St is rejuvenating, etc.

[andrea5150]

Thank you for the insinuation that I am apathetic and don't take action. I am not "dodging or running". Those words couldn't be further from the truth. I have lived here for 8 years and every year have organized a beach clean up for our street. I am the only one who regularly picks up trash in the neighborhood. I also have met with councilors and have a meeting scheduled with the mayor to try to make the businesses clean up their buildings and have volunteered my time to clean up town property. My husband has brought home a power washer to try to clean the paint off the walls which are private property so we have to talk to the homeowners (FYI the town has been in litigation with the owner of the "rug" business for years to get the building and billboard cleaned up).

I also work full time, have a long commute and two children to care for. I don't have all the time in the world to make cleaning up Weymouth my full time job. After 8 years of trying to get things done there and getting virtually no cooperation I am just tired. I'd like to live in a community where people care about their property, the neighborhood and the town. This doesn't seem to be the case where I am.

This stuff just keeps on happening no matter how many times it is painted over or cleaned up. The spray paint is not the only issue either. The abandoned houses, the rental properties that aren't cared for, the drug problems, etc. etc.

I thought by posting here I would get some input on the other towns I had mentioned by people who may know them much better than I do.

[CaseyB]

It certainly sounds like you have done more than your fair share to remedy the situation. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot for sale in your price range in Walpole at this time, but depending upon where in Dedham you are commuting to, there are a few other towns you might want to consider.

[Beachcomber4]

Originally Posted by andrea5150

The talk is all about the drugs and drug dealers settling here. Also there are run down buildings/houses and now graffiti all over the neighborhood. The Town seems to do nothing about the appearance of the neighborhood and I'm afraid that with the way it looks there won't be many nice families moving in. I've tried everything I can to get the neighborhood cleaned up and it's a losing battle. We love being on the water and it is such a shame what is happening to this town...or should I say this section of town.
I have two small children 5 and 3 and I am thinking we really should get out of here while our kids are still small.

What about Canton? Can you find a home in that price range? Good schools and easy commute to Dedham.


It sounds like you have been proactive in improving the neighborhood. Good for you. One thing I have found is that some people just do not want to see the negative changes that take place around them and give the "it's everywhere" excuse for not wanting to see it and/or improve it.

I was in the same place you are right now 2 years ago. I had attended a PTA meeting where a brand new Superintendent was coming to hear the concerns of parents. First and foremost was the fact that school had been cancelled on the 1st day because a portion of the ceiling had collapsed and there were other areas compromised that required immediate attention so students could safely attend. I walked into the meeting at a school that has 600 students to find 8 parents, six of whom were permanent fixtures at the PTA meetings. I was mortified. When we spoke about parental involvement, I pointed out the lack of attendance and if concern for something as basic as safety was not impetus enough for people to be heard, how do they feel about quality of education? The head of the PTA said "Oh but I think things are getting better." I went home and told my husband any second thoughts I had about moving had been alleviated. Six months later, we were moving forward with our plans and I was still working to help improve. I had one foot out the door but was hoping to see "things getting better". While in a School Council meeting I expressed the thought "I could not remember the last time my kids came home and told me a nice kid had moved into their classes". I was then informed about the high number of students (21) with a laundry list of issues, many criminal that had moved into town and were attending school. Discipline issues were in abundance and it got to the point where a police officer was patrolling the corridors of this MIDDLE SCHOOL.

Go with your gut. Pardon the pun but "the writing is on the wall".

[happywifey]

I live in North Weymouth! I moved here from Newton so you can imagine the differences in the two locals.

I'll be honest, yes, the graffitti and Rt. 3A in whole is disgusting. But I really like North Weymouth and Weymouth as a whole. Something does have to be done to 3A.

I'm actually a member of the North Weymouth Civic Association (NWCA), but honestly, I'm not sure when the meetings are or really how I can do more. I want to do more - but I really don't know how to go about doing it.

I've met a bunch of parents, kids and neighbors in North Weymouth - and everyone seems so nice and it's really shocking that the 3A/seawall areas look the way they do. It really does seem like it's just the act of bored teenagers - but it needs to stop. Glad I'm not the only person in the neighborhood who feels that way.

I'll reply to your message with more detail!

[DarinsMom]

I know Andrea5150 personally and I know that she is a dedicated, hard working mother and advocate for her neighborhood. If she is the only one doing all the work, it's like shoveling crap against the tide - KWIM?

I see this type of deterioration going on all over MA - even on the Cape, where I live. Hyannis sounds nice, but there are parts of Hyannis where you don't go after dark....it sucks being a homeowner and having to deal with this type of destruction....

I wouldn't move back to Dedham either. ;-) Grew up there - miss it sometimes, but wouldn't move back.

Quincy has a nice ring to it. Miss living there....

[yagru]

unfortuneatley there is a very bad drug problem now all over the south shore.. some of the stuff i read in the ledger everyday would blow your mind. I live in quincy now but am also looking to relocate. Unfortuneatley some of the affordable nice areas of the past are not nice sections of town anymore and the few nice sections that are left have gotten way to expensive.