A few homeowners living in Bedford's Paul Street neighborhood report living with chronic water issues caused by a strip mall that stretches across their backyards.
Joe and Jennifer Ciprian said they've been dealing with rain water problems triggered by a poorly maintained gutter system at the shopping complex for more than ten years. The Ciprians report the property is owned by former Macedonia Mayor Joseph Migliorini, who stepped down as Mayor on July 9 amid domestic battery allegations in Florida.
RELATED: Macedonia mayor resigns after being charged in Florida for slapping lover
The former Mayor first announcing his resignation via a video and a picture posted on the Nordonia Hills News.
The Ciprians said the former Mayor has made numerous promises to repair the flooding issues at his shopping complex, but so far rain water problems continue. The couple said all the water has flooded their basement and caused thousands in property damage.
Joe Ciprian also believes all the standing water could present a health hazard for the neighborhood.
"My basement is flooding from all of this. This is ridiculous," Ciprian said. "We have puddles of water back here, we all know West Nile Virus, the mosquitos that it brings."
News 5 confirmed the City of Bedford and its building department have issued Migliorini's company violations for the water problems, and have been trying to officiate a solution since 2017.
"This is how he runs Macedonia, this is how he runs NOPEC? How can he run a city, how can he be on a commission board, when he can't even take care of his own property?" Ciprian said.
News 5 contacted Migliorini and he quickly apologized for all the delays, pledging to repair the problems at his property in the coming weeks.
The former Mayor said contractors he hired for the repairs ran into unexpected problems but never let him know about the delays.
Still, Jennifer Ciprian said she and the neighborhood aren't holding their breath that repairs will finally happen.
"He goes, 'Just don't call the city, we'll take care of it,'" Ciprian said. "Well, months and months and months went by, things got worse. They've given him deadlines, and he's ignored every single one of them from the city, not us, but the city. Really?"
The City of Bedford said it will follow-up on enforcement in this case.
