OBSERVER File photo Work is expected to begin either this or next month on the clean-up of the former Mayville Diner.

MAYVILLE — An eyesore in the village will soon be cleaned up.

During this week’s Mayville Village Board meeting, J&J Abatement Services of Jamestown was approved to remove debris and restore the Mayville Diner property at 7 W. Chautauqua St. for a cost of $11,500. J&J Abatement was the lowest bidder for the project. In addition, Neeson-Clark Associates Inc. of Olean was approved to complete the required third-party air monitoring for the asbestos abatement at a cost of $525 per day. The resolutions were approved by a 3-1 vote.

On Dec. 9 at around 10:30 p.m. the diner, which has been a staple in the village for more than 70 years, went up in flames. It was completely destroyed, leaving only a pile of debris.

The owner, Michael S. Ellis, was charged two weeks after the fire with third-degree arson, a class C felony. Ellis operated the diner and was reportedly making payments on the property to the previous owner Bob Bonar.

Last month, the village board declared 7 W. Chautauqua St. as a danger to the community’s safety and health and ordered the property to be cleaned up by either the owner or by the village, which would in turn place a lien on the property.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Ken Shearer confirmed the cost will be placed as a lien against the property. “Residents want to see some action down there,” he said.

The board also approved the use of the village’s landfill credits for the project. Depending on the landfill, Shearer expects work to begin either this or next month, with the project being finished this fall.

During the public portion of the meeting, trustee Sun Ray Harrington was asked why he voted against the clean up last month. He also voted against the clean-up resolutions Tuesday.

“I don’t like the way we’ve handled things,” Harrington said, adding that he felt there was “miscommunication” with the land owner.

A resident at the meeting, who asked Harrington about his vote, said she understood but thanked the rest of the board members for voting to clean up the property.

On Wednesday, the OBSERVER reached out to District Attorney Patrick Swanson to get an update on Ellis’ case. He said they are continuing to negotiate with Ellis’ attorney and believes a plea agreement is “very close.”