BELLAIRE - Village council held a discussion during its regular meeting here Thursday on how to tackle the problem of dilapidated houses.
One property in particular was discussed at length, which is located at 4138 Harrison St.
According to Solicitor Ed Sustersic, there is a mortgage, multiple assessments and two tax liens on the property and the village might not be able to recoup any money from the cost of demolishing it, but said it is an issue because of its condition and its proximity to the Community Action Commission located at Indian Run Learning Center.
"If you feel that that's a property you want to have removed, I don't want to prioritize that property and lose track of why we did it," Sustersic said.
He also said the village has been working with Bel-O-Mar to get funds to demolish property.
"Being able to recover should be a priority, but I'm going to suspect that we could make that an element, but not a controlling element," he said.
According to Police Chief Michael P. Kovalyk, police have been called to that address numerous times because people, including children, going inside the empty house and other illegal activity.
Councilman William Marinacci, however, said the village should look at demolishing properties where the village can recoup the money first.
"My problem is if we start out with this program with tearing one down and it's going to cost us money, then we can tear down five," Marinacci said. "Whereas, if we keep recouping our money, then we can tear down 10 or 15. This is what happen to us in the past."
Council later approved a motion to allow Sustersic to proceed with steps to get the property torn down. Marinacci voted against the motion.
Also under official reports, Village Administrator Rebecca Zwack said the village street crews should to be commended for their efforts to keep the streets cleared of snow.
"They've been out there keeping the streets clean and safe," Zwack said. "They've all been working long hours, but I do continue to receive calls from residents and we can't be everywhere all the time and I want to urge the public to just be patient. It does take time to treat all the roads and we are also concerned for the workers' safety."
Mayor Vince DiFabrizio also thanked the village workers as well as Tri-Son Concrete and Bellaire Hardware used their equipment for snow removal.
"That's what it's all about, working together," he said.
Zwack reported that garbage pick-ups have been behind because of the weather but also said the garbage is using a new dumpsite that is saving the village about $200 a day.
She also said she has applied for funding from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to repair the Rock Hill pump station.
In other news, DiFabrizio said council needs to look at removing some of the traffic lights and replacing them with stop signs to save money.
Councilman Troy Johnson said Zwack was looking into getting "Green" traffic lights, that will be powered by solar energy to save the village money.
It was also announced during the meeting that village has been awarded a grant for an Ohio Historic Marker for Bellaire City Park. According to Dan Frizzi Jr., who wrote the grant for the bronze cast marker, the grant is for $750. He said he hopes to have it at the park in time for the All American Days Festival, scheduled for June 3, 4, and 5.
The next council meeting is scheduled for March 4 at 6 p.m. An ordinance committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Schuler may be reached at shoe@timesleaderonline.com
