Municipal News
- Last Updated on Friday, 31 May 2013 21:31
By Earl Bugaile
North Charleroi Borough Council has voted to offer Quit Claim properties for sale to adjacent property owners.
Council took the action at their regular meeting on May 20 on the recommendation of solicitor Christine Cardinale, who along with councilman Steven Hega has cited several property owners and residents for code violations. At least five matters have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
Cardinale explained that as per Borough Code, two property owners have chosen to give their properties to the borough. She has since drafted Quit Claim Deeds, which are expected to be completed by the end of the summer. One of the deeds on the Williams Jewelry property will allow the Borough to begin the memorial extension project. The second property, on 7th Street, will be offered to neighbors at a minimum cost. Cardinale explained that the council’s action will allow this and other Quit Claim properties to be made available to neighbors, similar to their ability to purchase so-called “paper alleys”.
Cardinale stated that she and Councilman Hega have been seeking compliance with the borough codes to maintain properties. “We want to clean up the town”, she stated in her report.
In the public comment portion of the meeting, borough resident, Bernadette Orhman asked council to check on the maintenance of property adjacent to hers in the 600 block of Conrad Street. Former residents of the property have moved away, and she claims that grass has not been cut and that animals from the property are now coming into her yard.
“I’ve seen possums and raccoons on my porch coming from (over) there,” she said.
Orhman said a group of men cut grass on the property over a month ago, and despite telling her that they would cut the grass weekly, they have never returned to maintain the grass.
“I won’t walk over there because of the animals, but (the high grass) is killing my hedges,” she said.
Orhman said she believed that the property was being maintained by a bank. “I would just like to have something done about it,” she said. Cardinale told Orhman that she would get in touch with bank officials to determine the status of the property. “If there is a bank involved, they should take care of it,” she said.
Council President Joseph Villella reminded members of the plans to celebrate the opening of the new John Tener Memorial Bridge which is scheduled in June. The new span will replace the old Charleroi Monessen Bridge.
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