Town Taking Aim at Unsafe, Unsightly Properties
One Community Update
March 13, 2024
Source: Western Wayne News
A new emphasis on keeping Hagerstown houses in good condition brought a woman to Town Council where she found temporary relief.
Building Commissioner Terry Ford told the council that he had sent letters to owners of unsafe or unsightly properties. He gave the owners 30 days to respond by fixing the problems or explain their plans for the property.
One owner came to the council on March 4 with her written response about a vacant house next to her family’s house. Ford had cited the vacant property for rotten floors.
She said her family bought the vacant house in 2019, hoping to demolish it and expand their property onto that lot, the woman said. Then, she said, a contractor estimated demolition would cost more than $100,000 because the house contains asbestos that is considered a hazardous material. It must be removed and disposed of properly. They don’t have that kind of money and are still paying on a loan they used to buy the property. She said they keep the lot clean and have locked the doors and windows.
The house had been identified as blighted in 2016 when the town used state Blight Elimination Program grants to tear down several structures, Chris LaMar, town manager, said. Program funding ran out before this house could be demolished.
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