An unkempt property in Westbrook that became a source of concern for neighborhood residents has been mostly cleaned up, says the city’s code enforcement officer.

Rick Gouzie of Westbrook Code Enforcement said Monday that the property, on the corner of Nasson and Ethel avenues, has been cleaned following complaints that the yard was an eyesore and safety hazard for the neighborhood. The only debris remaining, he said, is a pile of tires in the driveway.

“I’m not sure if the foreclosure has gone through completely, but it’s all cleaned up,” he said.

The property has been in the process of foreclosure, said Gouzie, and it is believed Wells Fargo bank will most likely sell the home through auction.

This past fall, Gouzie said he had been trying for six months to contact the owners to clean up the property, to no avail. As late as December, the lawn was still littered with chairs, tarps, old appliances, paint cans and other items.

After complaints added up, City Councilor Gary Rairdon got involved. Rairdon, who lives on nearby Webster Street, said in November that the property looked like the owners “took every single thing out (of the house), and just put it on the lawn.”

The neighborhood, part of a large patch of residential homes nestled behind the busy intersection of Cumberland and Bridge streets, is home to many families. In addition to safety concerns, neighbors had also worried about the possible negative affect on nearby property values.

The names on the deed were Daniel and Anita Ray. However, Daniel Ray died in 2011.

According to Gouzie, the bank issued a letter to the owners, dated Nov. 8, stating they had 30 days to clean up the property. Gouzie said he doesn’t believe the owners live in Westbrook anymore.

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Westbrook police received a call from a neighbor that lights were on in the home. Gouzie said later that he found an unlocked door and locked it.

A foreclosed home on the corner of Nasson and Ethel avenues appeared to be mostly cleared Monday, except for a pile of tires in the driveway. The property became a source of concern from neighbors this past fall. In late November, the home was strewn with debris and the owners were given 30 days to clean up the property.Staff photos by Andrew RiceA foreclosed home on the corner of Nasson and Ethel avenues appeared to be mostly cleared Monday. In late November, the home was strewn with debris and the owners were given 30 days to clean up the property.Staff photos by Andrew Rice