Eight months after a Cheshire resident died when her cluttered house collapsed, state lawmakers are pushing to create a task force that would help address hoarding problems before it’s too late.
It was a house neighbors couldn’t ignore, and in June, when the body of 66-year-old Beverly Mitchell was found buried in her basement, it was a scene they couldn’t forget.
“Everyone here knew something was wrong. Various people made offers about helping clean things up or shovel stuff in the winter, helping her with different things, and it was always turned away,” explained Cheshire resident Heidi Standlow.
The incident is one of several things that prompted State Sen. Paul Doyle to introduce public health and safety procedures in what’s formally known as Senate Bill 18. Doyle went before the Public Safety and Security Committee to address the dangers of hoarding Thursday night.
“Today there is not really a comprehensive approach by our municipalities. Right now it’s kind of haphazard,” Doyle said. “It’s an issue that really is statewide. Someone on your street you may not be aware of it, but many people have this mental illness.”
Doyle said the bill would rally mental health and public officials, as well as law enforcement personnel, to work together toward a solution. He said the ultimate goal is to create a task force that will examine every aspect of hoarding, from mental health to residents’ rights on their own property.
