SANFORD — A disagreement over the timing of graffiti removal has ended an effort by a local businessman to paint two homes to spruce up the River and Cottage Street intersection.

The 39 River St. home, which sports mural-sized graffiti on the Cottage Street approach to the city, is owned by Mona Erickson. Her daughter, Crystal Page, owns the house at 18 Cottage St. The two homes were painted several years ago ”“ the River Street home in a shade of purple and the Cottage Street home in pink with purple trim.

And until recently, a triangular-shaped building called the Bland Block was at the corner, between the two homes.

Enter local businessman H. Allen Mapes, who spearheaded an effort to remove the vacant, derelict Bland Block, which was deemed a safety issue for motorists because of its position on the lot. Along with the removal of the Bland Block, Mapes hoped to improve the look of the intersection, one of the premiere gateways to the city.

While the city government eventually took over the Bland Block removal project, Mapes continued on with his efforts. He approached Erickson and Page, and asked if they would consent to have their homes painted at no expense to themselves. They did, and, he said, the women chose colors from samples he provided. The paint was donated by local companies. Mapes earlier this year said some painters had agreed to donate their time for the project. The painters, however, found they couldn’t follow through with their volunteer commitment, Mapes said Tuesday, and so he hired a painter at his own expense.

Mapes estimated the cost to paint the two homes at $6,000-7,000.

And while it appears there may be a paint job on at least one of the homes after all ”“ another volunteer effort has emerged ”“ the one spearheaded by Mapes has fallen apart. He said that is because the women refused to sign a contract with him involving, for the most part, removal of graffiti from Erickson’s house and an agreement that there wouldn’t be any more.

“It blew up in my face,” said Mapes.

He said he was looking for the existing graffiti to be removed from the house and that it remain graffiti-free for six months before the new paint was applied.

Erickson, for her part, said she refused to sign the contract, and that Mapes should take her word that there would be no more graffiti once the house was painted. Erickson said she had pledged verbally that once the new paint was applied, there would be no more graffiti.

The graffiti was painted by her son, Joshua. He said he and friends painted the large expanse of graffiti “one last time,” before the house was to be painted.

Sanford Codes Enforcement Officer Shirley Sheesley said Sanford has no regulations concerning paint color or themes. Sanford does have an ordinance prohibiting graffiti on public property or on private property if it is placed there without the owner’s permission. In this case, the graffiti is present with Monda Erickson’s permission

Page, who owns the Cottage Street house, said in addition to the disagreement over the graffiti on her mother’s home, Mapes voiced concerns over the vibrancy of the color of the new trim on her home. She said he took the paint and left following the disagreement Tuesday morning. Mapes said that he paid the painter for the work accomplished to that time before taking the paint and leaving.

Page said she’s upset because her home is partially painted, with boards exposed on the remainder from the pressure wash, and she doesn’t have paint to finish the job. She said she never should have agreed to Mapes’ proposal.

Meanwhile, a number of people who post comments on the Facebook page called “Sanford: Maine’s Newest City,” have pledged to help Page and were scheduled to meet at Sherwin-Williams at 5 p.m. Friday. Organizers estimate 25 gallons of paint will be needed. They plan to paint Page’s house this weekend.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.