MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- A city councilman is raising concerns over use of a piece of property in Middletown.

Councilman David Bauer said that the city has turned a blind eye to city-owned property that he claims has been transformed into a junkyard.

Bauer has filed a formal complaint about what he said is an eyesore next to Butternut Hollow Park.

"It's a misuse of public property. We are having very strained financial times and to see an asset of the city being used for the personal benefit of what I would guess are private parties is very troubling," he said.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Aleesah Chaney reported that old cars and rubbish are piled at the site.

"I call it a junkyard," Bauer said. "We have a city-sponsored junkyard. I also checked -- junkyards are supposed to be regulated by the DMV and there is no record of the DMV knowing the city has a junkyard."

Chaney reported that Middletown is leasing the property to Richard Jukonski, who owns a business across the street.

The city said it is leasing the property to Jukonski for $300 per month and that he has been given permission to store old trucks and cars on the land.

Bauer said that he is concerned that there is no fence around the property.

"The public can be here. You can see from the graffiti that they have definitely left evidence that they have been here," he said.

Jukonski's lease lasts for another five years.

A spokesman for the city told Eyewitness News that Middletown plans to work with the proper state agencies to ensure that Jukonski is following state rules for storing the vehicles.

Jukonski told Eyewitness News that he plans on cleaning the site.