BROCTON - After mulling several issues concerning the Village of Brocton at the Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Dave Hazelton gave a foreboding warning.
"Concerning 10 East Main Street, I'm not sure how many of you on the board are aware, but now the second floor has fallen into the first floor. Eventually, we're going to be at a point where we have to take some action. If this becomes a public safety issue, then it becomes something we have to deal with," he said.
At last week's board meeting, Trustee Dale Van Vlack questioned whether the dilapidated property is officially in the name of the person who purchased it at the county's tax auction.
Hazelton said it should be filed this week.
County Legislator for District 23 Tom DeJoe, who was in attendance, replied that the legislature approved the measure two weeks ago and that the paperwork is probably just waiting to be officially filed naming Scott Endress as the owner.
"Since you're here, Tom, I can ask you, is there any way a clause can be included with these county tax sales that asks the purchaser to bring these properties up to code?" asked Van Vlack.
"Unfortunately, you can't force someone to do something with the property. You can only put conditions on what they can't do with the property," answered the legislator.
Concerning a recent burn house property at 101 Mill St. in the village, Charles and Barbara Krauth asked village leaders what the status is for cleanup of the property.
"I believe right now, the issue is with the insurance. I just spoke to our Code Enforcement Officer today about it and possibly we can put more pressure on the necessary parties to get it cleaned up. We are keeping track of it," stated Hazelton.
The board of trustees also approved a waiver request for a New York State Liquor License applied for by Julie Fortner, purchaser of the Nickel Plate Depot in Brocton. The waiver will allow Fortner to obtain her license in an uninterrupted, timely manner in order to open her business as soon as possible.
In other matters, village trustees also approved a Project Clean Up application submitted with receipts to the village in the amount of $500. Hazelton reminds village property owners of this program, which is designed to encourage people to clean up, take care of and maintain properties within the village boundaries.
A resolution to authorize the mayor to prepare and sign a petition from Jamestown Plastics to the Public Service Commission was also authorized by the board. A long-time employer within the village, Jamestown Plastics recently purchased a building outside of the village lines and wishes to run village electric service there. Since they're technically a National Grid customer at that address, Jamestown Plastics petitioned National Grid to break their service, which was denied. The last recourse, Hazelton explained, is to now petition the PSC in order to obtain the electric service in Brocton.
The mayor also responded to a resident complaint he has received about traffic speed up and down Highland Avenue.
"I'd like to ask the town to extend the 35 mile per hour zone all the way up to Webster Road. There are approximately 10 to 12 children on Highland between Harmon Avenue and Jamestown Plastics, and the person that complained has noticed a lot of fast traffic," stated the mayor.
The current signage indicates that the 35 mph zone ends after Jamestown Plastics plant on Highland.
"If I could remind people to please watch their speed on all roadways in the village, we will be setting up reminders throughout the village making people aware of their speed," he added.
Village Clerk Karen Ardillo was authorized to take part in a ribbon sale later this year to benefit Hospice of Chautauqua County's Light-A-Life Tree Memorial fundraiser. Ardillo also reminds residents that Portland Bicentennial Celebration hats are available for purchase at her office for $5, as one of the fundraisers for next year's celebration.
The board will meet again on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. and will be returning to a two per month meeting schedule for the remainder of the year.
