News
Nuisance abatement property still plagues Allerton council
By Shelda Lunsford
Nov 15, 2011, 10:32

Despite the hard work and the lengthy time frame that was used to deal with one of Allerton’s nuisance residences, council members learned that the process is still not completed.
The property was deeded to a new owner, who was in attendance at the Nov. 8 meeting, but it appears there is still $356 in back taxes that have yet to be paid for the title to be handed over free and clear. The council will seek the assistance of the Wayne County Supervisors in the form of a request to abate the unpaid portion of the taxes. Council members were under the impression that everything had been caught up and were disheartened to learn there was still an amount owed.
Meters have been tested for one industry in town in a measure to seek alleviation for the ongoing water loss issue the city has. When the results returned that the meters for the business were in good shape and only needed gaskets replaced, management for the industry told city Mayor Doug Downs that the company would pay for the cost of the check on the meters and replacement for the repair work. Council members voiced their appreciation to those responsible for the decision to “help out” the city.
Discussion was held about constructing a small structure near the south sewer lagoon to cover an area where composite samples are regularly taken by the city. The area has a history of freezing which makes it difficult for the sample work to be completed. Since sampling is a required measure by the DNR the council will check into what sort of structure might be economically feasible.
Repair work done to stop some water leaks to the city’s lines has been completed. The city’s water superintendent Danny Stewart said residents might still find they have small pockets of air coming through their lines for a while but things should clear up fairly quickly now that the repair work is finished at that site.
The city road crew has been given the task of searching for a used truck suitable for winter snow removal as well as being capable of hauling some of the city’s gravel needs in the future. The council decided the city would probably save money if a good solid truck could be found that would serve the dual purpose.
Money will be taken out of the general fund and will be used to finish paying off the road grader purchased earlier. According to financial records the city is in a position to transfer the amount without risk to their financial needs. The step is being taken to save interest money currently being paid on the grader loan.
The condition of one of the city’s roads was brought to the attention of the council. It seems there has been a wide cut made for drainage purposes between two properties across the entire width of the road. A letter will be sent to the property owner(s) to restore the road to its original condition with the stipulation of having the work completed in a two-week time period, since the council was not notified of plans for the cut to be made.
A report was made of a semi-truck/trailer being parked on a city street was discussed. Although a property owner who operates a truck must be allowed access to their property, they still cannot park on the roadway within the city limits. The operator will be notified of the need to find another location to leave the vehicle.
According to council the county-wide burn ban has been lifted and complaints are coming in about the smoke and smell of burned leaves. Although the council recognized it is not always pleasant there is no ordinance prohibiting the burning of leaves.
The gas company that supplies the city with natural gas will be contacted and asked to return an area surrounding a repair site to its original condition. Representatives of the company will also be invited to a city council meeting at the beginning of the new year to discuss several other points of interest the city has that the company said they would repair. Enough time has passed without anything done has made the council initiate the invitation.
On the brightest of good notes, before adjourning the council voted to suspend payments for solid waste for the month of December, due to the good condition of the solid waste’s financial report.
The next council meeting is set for Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

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