By HOLLY GASKILL
Bluffton is continuing to handle junk violations, with several showing no or little progress.
Specifically, Building Commissioner Richard Triplett reported to the Bluffton Board of Public Works and Safety that the residence at 427 W. Lancaster St. showed no progress in handling the matter and now a complaint has been filed with the Wells County Circuit Court.
If the court rules in favor of the city, they could go onto the property and remove the junk. The owner has not responded to attempts to make contact.
Triplett also reported that the residence at 508 W. South St. had chosen to resolve its gaping porch ceiling by removing the porch. However, now the section of the structure was covered by a tarp, and many materials remained loose on the property.
Triplett requested to bring the item before the Bluffton Common Council for a possible revision in the junk ordinance, which the board approved. Because the porch was not living quarters, the issue is not technically condemnable, however, Triplett said the owner’s solution, as well as junk throughout the yard, remains problematic. Triplett said he has not had any contact with the owner.
Junk violations at 817 S. Williams Street, 314 Cherry W. St. and 122 W. South St. also showed no progress. Both are past due to resolve their violations, and the board stated they were waiting for the city’s junk ordinance to take effect.
“When we get a ruling from the court about what we can and cannot do, it’s going to go a long way for us to really get serious about the enforcement,” Mayor John Whicker said.
The board did issue a two-week extension to Jerry Almy, owner of the residence at 1308 W. South, to clean the property due to his physical impairments. Almy assured the board the work would be completed at the end of the extension.
Doug Williams approached the board with a complaint about the recently repaired concrete road in front of his residence. Williams alleged there was a void underneath the concrete and that it was a different color from the original concrete. The board said they would review the area with the contractor.
Erin Prible, chair of the Parlor City Christmas Committee, requested a street closure for their annual event, which the board approved 3-0. On Dec. 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the closure will include the 100 and 200 blocks of W Market St. and Johnson St. to Washington St. There will also be no parking allowed the night prior.
The board also handled two employee matters. Tony Fay was granted a $1 hourly raise as Waste Water Plant Supervisor for merit. Additionally, the resignation of Kaitlyn Weikel was accepted.
holly@news-banner.com
