Council adds time to unsafe houses, approves new list

ROACHDALE -- The Roachdale Town Council was happy enough with the partial compliance of its orders to again delay a decision on issuing liens on the unsafe building orders filed recently.

The town sent notices to five homeowners in September that their unsafe, and unsightly, houses need to be fixed or demolished.

By the October meeting, one was torn down and the other four asked the council for an extension. Each was supposed to have the building cleaned up and ready to be torn down by Nov. 5.

At the November meeting on Tuesday, those same four returned, again asking for an extension.

"My problem is we gave everybody a time limit and not one person has come through with what they were supposed to do," council member Zach Bowers said.

Although the buildings were not in compliance, the council said most have improved.

One, Daniel Asher, owner of 209 N. East St., brought the council a second set of plans to demolish the building. They did not yet decide whether to accept them.

Sheila Gail Williams, owner of 302 E. Columbia, has the house ready to be torn down, and an excavator ready to start pending the council's approval to potentially rebuild on the lot.

The council agreed to issue a letter stating that, subject to the demolition occurring within 10 days of receiving it.

Robert Wiggins, owner of 206 W. Street, remains in a standstill with his insurance company.

That property has been cleaned up, but there are issues remaining.

With things moving along in the first group, Bowers brought forth another list of houses he said he would like to see demolished.

The council had already issued one earlier in the meeting, for 104 W. Railroad St., and Bowers listed four more.

Council president Jack Jones was upset that the list of suggestions had be created without his input.

Bowers and Town Marshal Mike Mahoy said they went around the town together looking for the most dilapidated and unsightly, unoccupied houses, and Jones had not been invited.

Because the council consists of three members -- Jones, Bowers and Barbara Scott -- anytime two of them discuss town business it is considered a public meeting.

Open Door Laws for such events require it to be advertised and open to the public, which would be difficult to do in a vehicle.

In the future the council agreed to bring suggestions to town clerk Martha Louk in advance of the meeting so the buildings can be checked out by everyone.

Despite the brief controversy, the council unanimously agreed on Bowers' list.

The owners for 502 N. Indiana St., 405 E. Washington St., 208 N. West St. and 204 N. West St. will be sent letters asking them to cleanup or tear down their houses.

In other business:

* All of the new gas mains have been installed. The old gas lines, originally scheduled to be shut off on Thursday, will now be shut down on Monday, Nov. 19.

* The council agreed to purchase reflective signs and barrels to aid in street-side repairs and work.

* New signs warning against engine braking for semi trucks have been purchased and will be installed. The town banned that practice in September.