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ATTLEBORO -- The southwest fringe of the city is badly frayed and one irate homeowner wants something done.

It's where railroads, highways, heavy industry, homes, convenience stores and low-rent retail like an X-rated video store, mingle in motley confusion, noise, dust and litter, he said.

Joe Drazek who lives in the middle of it all on Bacon Street told the city council last week that it's gotten so bad in his lifelong home, he's "fed up."

"My neighborhood is continually losing its identity as part of Attleboro and is looking more like North Pawtucket, Central Falls or in some cases, worse," he told councilors.

While the residents of those Rhode Island cities won't be pleased by the characterization, Drazek, 31, remembers better times in his neighborhood, which is bisected by Route 1 and Interstate 95. Amtrak and MBTA trains roar along its southern edge and big trucks headed for State Line Scrap and other industries, ply its roads. He remembers times when he could sleep through the night to the monotonous hum of Interstate 95; when he could open his windows for fresh air and when he could walk with pride through this little out-the-way corner of his home town.

Now he tosses and turns to the all-night idling of tractor-trailer trucks; "rusty dust" constantly filters into his home; losing lottery tickets by the thousands blow in the wind; shards of metal litter the streets and crossing Washington Street is a near death experience with cars and trucks speeding down Route 1, he said.

"The south end has been overrun with crime, litter, vehicles and traffic of all types. There are weeds, junk, failing infrastructure, trash and a lack of enforcement and maintenance. It is only getting worse as time goes by," he said. "Someone needs to press the reset button and reboot South Attleboro. Somebody needs to care."

Council President Frank Cook heard the plea and formed a special committee to look into the situation.

Michael Sullivan, who represents the area as Ward 1 councilor, is chairman of the committee that includes Peter Blais and George Ross.

Mayor Kevin Dumas has already toured the area.

The panel has scheduled an inspection of the neighborhood, and expects to talk about the problem and make some recommendations at future meetings.