ROCKPORT — A derelict and empty mobile home on Route 17 near the intersection of Meadow Street in Rockport has been deemed abandoned, unsafe and dangerous, according to Rockport’s code enforcement officer, and by virtue of an unanimous vote Monday evening, Sept. 25, the Select Board said it must be removed.

The home sits on property owned by Valerie Kelly, who currently lives in Camden. She was present at the regularly scheduled Select Board meeting to say that she agreed to tearing it down.

The board has given her until November 17 to demolish the home and remove the materials, and as an added stipulation, to report to the board on Oct. 10 about her progress in lining up a contractor to do the job.

If there is no progress, then the board said it would fall into Town Manager Rick Bates’ hands to direct the town’s public works department to demolish and remove the building. The garage is to be allowed to remain standing.

Two neighbors spoke at the meeting, telling the board the they feared that someone would set the home on fire.

“Anyone can torch it just for the heck of it,” said Conrad Heyer. “It is a big concern for myself and neighbors.”

Another nearby resident said she feared the rats and said it devalued her own property.

“Rats have been in there like crazy and I have set more traps,” she said. “I don’t like it. It smells.”

Kelly has been notified by the town since 2015 that the home needed attention, according to CEO Bickford. He issued a violation notice in January.

The front door has been left open for sometime, he said. A tree is laying across the structure, the entry way is collapsed and there is broken glass around it.

“I have no problem removing the property,” said Kelly. “ I’m sorry I didn’t know to get a hold of you. I did not mean for it to get this far. A lot of things got in the way and it did not get it done.”

Kelly said she didn’t know the cost of demolition but said in response to a board question that she probably had the finances to tend to it.

Public Works Director Steve Beveridge said it would likely take public works three days to tear down and transport material to the landfill.

Complicating the issue is the fact that the town holds two liens on the property.

The board decided to first allow Kelly time to secure a contractor to get the mobile home off the property, and if that doesn’t happen, then the town manager is to “take all necessary actions to remove the building” and assess a special tax for payment.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657