County rules deteriorating Williamsburg property unsafe

Even two boats along the roadway don’t make the corner of Main and Edwards streets in Williamsburg resemble a marina.

Vegetation has grown enough to partially obscure the boats, the deteriorating house and even a front loader on a trailer located at 6341 Edwards St. Steve Sorah, the county building commissioner, in April sent a letter to property owner Kyle McNamara giving him 30 days to clean the property, repair or remove the house and cut the vegetation, but there was no improvement. Subsequent letters were returned from McNamara’s Williamsburg post office box. 

With the vehicles, trash and unsecured building, Sorah has deemed the property unsafe. During their May 22 meeting, Wayne County’s commissioners conducted an unsafe building hearing and confirmed Sorah’s determination. That enables the county to intervene and clear the property.

Sorah will now receive three bids for demolition and cleanup. With the bids, the county can submit the property to the blight elimination effort that’s part of the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program. If the property is selected, HELP blight money would pay for the work. 

Other issues

• Steve Higginbotham, the county’s director of facilities and development, told commissioners duct work for the First Bank Expo Hall’s new HVAC system will be installed and the system functioning before June’s 4-H fair. Commissioners also are discussing how to create storage space inside the building for tables and chairs now available for rent at the fairgrounds.
• Commissioners approved designs for the Heiney Road bridge project that’s expected to go out for bid in October.
• Commissioners approved a Superior Court 2 request to purchase 15 courtroom and office chairs from Office 360 for $7,873.82. The request must now be taken to Wayne County Council for funding.
• The highway department received three bids for materials necessary to complete Community Crossings road projects this year. The bids from Asphalt Materials Inc. of Indianapolis, U.S. Aggregates of Richmond and IMI of Greenfield were taken under advisement for analysis and a recommendation by Mike Sharp, the highway supervisor.