By John Estridge
Brookville’s 12th Street residents have been sharing photos and frustrations on Facebook concerning a property at the intersection of 12th and John streets, 305-307 East 12th Street.
That frustration boiled over when some 12th Street residents visited the latest Brookville Town Council meeting
The property in question is a rental, and it is adjacent to St. Michael Cemetery.
Residents have said, in the past, they have gone to Brookville Town Administrator Tim Ripperger with complaints, but have not felt like there has been any definitive action on those complaints.
According to residents at the meeting and some comments of social media, the residents at the property have burned trash and furniture in the backyard during the early morning hours. The yard is unkempt. There has been indoor furniture and trash out in the backyard and around the garage. Currently, a freezer is in the backyard, neighbors said. And trees need to be trimmed or cut down.
However, on the day of and prior to the meeting, the residents in question began cleaning up the property, town officials and the 12th Street residents said.
BTC President Mike Biltz had Ripperger explain the process when a complaint comes in about a property in Brookville.
He said it depends on what the problem is. If a complaint comes in about a property and the problem is unkempt because of grass and weeds, Ripperger sends a letter. They have so many days to take care of the situation. Once the letter is sent out and remediation is not completed in the time allowed, a second letter is mailed to them, as well as, a continuous abatement notice is sent out. It means if the town goes in and cleans the property, the town will just keep going in and cleaning the property without further notice to the property owner for the ensuing year. Costs for cleaning the property are attached to the property owner’s property taxes.
Trees, in need of trimming or removal, require a longer length of time. A title search is done to find the property owners and at least 20 days are allotted to take down the tree. Another letter is then sent out by certified mail, as well as, a continuous abatement notice. At times, the town attorney also sends a letter.
Ripperger said, while he has been administrator, the town has had to go in and clean a property twice. He said the property, in question, has had complaints since 2018. However, after complaints, usually actions are taken to clean it up.
Also, Ripperger said how well grass is cut is subjective in nature. An example he used is a bush hog does not cut as close as a mower. The ordinance says the grass must be less than 10 inches tall, town attorney Tammy Davis said.
According to Biltz, when a property is unsightly as this one was, neighbors to the property sometimes complain to each other before someone makes a formal complaint.
Biltz said it is the town’s desire that people are good neighbors. Biltz said he viewed the property a few hours prior to the meeting.
Residents were concerned after the property is cleaned, it will be bad again within a month. However, Ripperger said this particular property has received the continuous abatement notice, and if the property becomes unkempt again, the town can move in and clean the property without prior notice.