MIDDLEBORO — Emotions ran high at times during an Oct. 17 Select Board meeting as a Tarragon Lane resident raised concerns about what he described as “unsightly conditions’’ in a nearby yard that he said presented “an ongoing nuisance.’’ 

John Barrella, who lives at 23 Tarragon Lane, discussed a letter sent to the board and signed by “Tarragon Lane Homeowners’’ that cited items being kept on the property at 12 Tarragon Lane. 

These include “unregistered jet skis, rusted metal drums, ladders, pallets, broken desks and overturned boats,’’ the letter stated.

“These unsightly aesthetic conditions plus the noise, light and smells generated by these unlawful conducts have interfered with and continue to substantially and unreasonably interfere with the homeowners’ use and enjoyment of their property,’’ the letter continued.

He said many of these issues violate various town bylaws and urged the select board to step in. The issue has been going on for more than two years, he said. 

The home at 12 Tarragon Lane is owned by the Braley family, according to records. A copy of the letter discussed by Barrella was sent to Dianne Braley of that address.

Questions were immediately raised by select board member Brian Giovanoni about the letter having no specific signatures. This provided no context for who specifically is filing the complaint, he said.

“If a letter isn’t signed, it doesn’t exist to me,’’ he said. “I sign everything I do.’’

In detailing problems in the area, Barrella told the select board that people have been “chased’’ by dogs, which was questioned by select board chair Mark Germain. Having a dog chase someone, Germain said, would qualify as “assault.’’ 

Germain said Middleboro police have visited the neighborhood two times a day for more than 700 days, at the request of the police chief in response to complaints from neighbors, but found no criminal activity.

Select board member Neil Rosenthal said he visited the site and acknowledged it was “messy’’ but said that “an awful lot of houses in Middleboro have that kind of messy.’’

Giovanoni acknowledged that the yard was a “mess,’’ and said that “I wouldn’t like it either.’’

Rosenthal said the options are “very narrow’’ as to what the select board can do.

Town Manager Robert Nunes said he has been “inundated’’ with calls and emails about the situation and met with Barella many times. He said the town has “spent more time on this neighborhood issue that any other neighborhood issue.’’  

Select board member Nathan Demers said the time spent on the situation represented an “egregious abuse of town resources.’’

Barrella said that cars were being sold at the site, which would violate zoning regulations. Giovanoni agreed that this would be a violation and encouraged Barella to submit proof. 

Select board member Arthur Battistini suggested that department heads visit the site as a group to “look at the current state of the property.’’ 

Germain noted that the yard has been visited by the Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Police and the Conservation Commission, among other agencies, but no specific violations were found.