PITTSFIELD – Complaints about trespassing ATVs, train engines idling on Main Street, mowing contractors, and foreclosed property owners who are not making any payments filled the air Tuesday night at the Pittsfield Town Council meeting.

Two representatives of Pan Am Railways, formerly Guilford Rail, told the council that they had no idea that idling locomotives were keeping downtown residents awake until the town complained recently.

Danny Moon of Pan Am’s transportation division explained that the trains were idling to replace the crews, which have a 12-hour limit by federal law.

“We try to be good neighbors,” Pan Am’s Jim Quint said. “We had no idea we were interrupting so many people’s lives. We appreciate the call.”

The men said the train will now recrew at other, more remote crossings. He said the Main Street crossing was being used because taxis are sent from Waterville to pick up and drop off crews and that is a convenient location.

While Pan Am representatives were on hand, Councilor Michael Gray took a moment to appeal for a smoother crossing on Main Street and mechanized lighting at the Webb Road crossing.

Town councilors also learned that two foreclosed properties that have residences on them are going to be put up for sale.

“Generally we don’t sell the properties that people are living in, but they have made no [payment] effort,” Town Manager Kathryn Ruth said.

Both properties were foreclosed in 2005 and the owners of one, on Mill Street, also face a contempt order which is accruing at $100 a day since last August. The former owners, Elizabeth Bernasconi and Robert Burt, failed to clean up their property after ordered by the town. Trash, debris and other items were drawing vermin to the property when the town stepped in last year.

Bernasconi and Burt also owe $2,154 in back taxes.

“We have not received one payment,” Ruth said. “This is such an unfortunate situation. It’s a big step for the town.”

She said there are about 12 properties listed as tax acquired and many of those owners are making payment arrangements. “In some cases, those plans will take seven years to pay off but at least they are making an effort,” Ruth said.

The council also refused to let the town’s mowing contractor, Howard’s Season Services of Dexter, out of his 2006 contract. Ruth said that HSS had grown very quickly and since the company was not making much profit on the Pittsfield contract, it had requested to be released.

Ruth said that she notified HSS that the town needed a formal letter requesting that release but no letter has been provided.

Councilors opted to hold HSS to this season’s contract but said they will entertain at their next meeting, a move to cancel the company’s 2007 contract.

The council also heard that the police department is stepping up enforcement on ATVs that are using town roads as trails. Councilor Gary Jordan said he saw an ATV driving down Crosby Street, which is in the downtown area, about 2 a.m. earlier this week, without headlights.

Ruth said the police had also run a radar detail on Main Street after several complaints were received about speeding log trucks in the early morning hours.