REEDSVILLE — An ordinance pertaining to dilapidated buildings is being drafted for the town of Reedsville, according to Mayor Jason Titus.
The ordinance is being drafted by town attorney Mark Gaydos. Titus told council Tuesday that he believes the first step in the process will be sending a letter to the property owner. If the property owner doesn’t respond, the town can choose to have the building torn down. Once this is done the town can place a lien on the property to recuperate the cost.
In other business, Titus told council a Public Service Commission hearing will be held 1:30 p.m. June 14 at the Craig Civic Center. He said the “meeting is “Masontown’s end of the hearing,” concerning a proposed rate increase to Reedsville sewer customers.
The proposed hike is due to a raise in inflow and infiltration — storm or ground water that enters the sewer system through leaky or cracked pipes, manholes or down spouts, sump pumps or improperly connected storm drains.
Reedsville doesn’t have a sewage treatment plant. It pays Masontown a bulk rate charge for sewage treatment. As previously reported, Masontown Mayor Roxie Turner said Masontown is not being paid for treating the storm water. Masontown wants to be paid based on the actual gallons that come through the Reedsville line to the sewer plant.
Titus said anyone who wishes to speak at the hearing could do so. Council discussed posting fliers and posting the date and time of the hearing on its Facebook page.
Council also voted to approve an ordinance that allows the sewer service department to accept grants and loans. The loans are to be paid back by the sewerage system only, according to the proposed ordinance.
Titus said Reedsville residents will be getting a notice with their sewer bills about keeping grass clippings off the streets. He also wanted to remind anyone doing repairs or making additions to their home that a town building permit is required.
Work on the town park and the town beautification project is progressing. Councilwoman Renee Stone said she and her husband, Councilman Jeff Stone, planted flowers at the Reedsville Volunteer Fire Department sign, the park sign and the town welcome sign.
Titus said the park restroom will soon be completed. At an earlier meeting council also voted to add a T-ball pole, a spider web swing and a musical toy made from PVC pipe that would replace a toy broken last year.
Other additions to the park will include a hopscotch area and a Tic-Tac-Toe board. Council also voted to expand the basketball court.
The next meeting of Reedsville Town Council will be 6:30 p.m. June 11.
