Court Orders North Bergen Man To Clean Up His Yard

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The town of North Bergen wants 85-year-old self-proclaimed hoarder and perennial candidate to pay for a private removal of his "junkyard."

And it's no ordinary mess, CBS2's Lou Young reports.

The mess in his yard on 44th Street is made up of a collection of cars, buses and trailers -- each one packed to the roof with every type of electric appliance, air conditioner, fan, outdoor grill and just .. stuff.

"I'm a pack rat, I'll admit it," yard owner Herbert Shaw said. He also claims the moniker "hoarder."

"Yeah, I'm one of them," Shaw said. "How did man begin civilization? As a hunter-gathered."

Shaw, who has been fighting to keep his mess intact, has moved three blocks away from the "junkyard" but neighbors say he is turning his new home into another place for his collectibles.

Shaw claims he's the victim of corrupt government oppression.

But the town of North Bergen sees it otherwise -- and are seeking to enforce a fresh court order issued this week.

"What we want to see is for Mr. Shaw to come in and pay for a private removal team to clean up the mess," said North Bergen Spokesman Phillip Swibinski.

The epic mess caught the town's attention eight years ago when the house caught fire," Young reports. Shaw and his wife, who used to live in the same house, had to escape through an upper window because the place was so cluttered.

Neighbors want the mess to be cleaned, but say they adore Shaw who is passionate about being left alone with his "collectibles."

"Look, I'm an old guy," Shaw said. "I'm about to die but it's the principle of the thing."

Shaw says he may appeal to the State Supreme Court.

There's no timetable on when the "junkyard" will be cleared.