A wide variety of topics kept Hagerstown Town Council on its toes during its Nov. 4 regular meeting. Among matters addressed: a railroad crossing, contract renewal for economic development, a countywide planning process, the unsafe building ordinance, a resident’s concerns about construction on a neighbor’s property, town festivals and conditions at a vacant house.
Railroad crossing
Although the Norfolk Southern Railroad repaved its crossing in the 600 block of South Washington Street this summer, the street grade is still steep on both sides. Some motor vehicles bottom out there. The crossing also is a challenge to many of the 200 employees who park in a lot south of it and walk to the Autocar factory on the other side.
The town has marked the crossing with warning signs for years. The crossing had been a topic of council discussion several months ago after a train hit a truck that got stuck on it.
The town has been in talks with the railroad to get it to lessen the grade by extending it further north and south. The railroad says it is not responsible for more than what it already paved, according to Chris LaMar, town manager.
He asked Kramer and Associates, an engineering firm, to help develop a plan to guide the town to a solution. Doug Kramer, the firm’s principal, presented a three-part proposal, starting with a $19,800 topographic survey that the council agreed to have done. The survey will map elevations of the railroad and the area around it. Once that’s done, Kramer would develop a plan and, if the town approves, seek funding from grant programs offered through the Indiana Department of Transportation.
Kramer, who has worked on rail crossing projects before, is hopeful Norfolk Southern might still agree to help pay for the work.
Unsafe buildings, vacant house
Town attorney Jon Madison said the owner of a house at 450 N. Plum St. has responded by email to the town’s citation for unsafe conditions there. Although KT Property Group LLC of Richmond has promised a complete remodel there, a public hearing on the property conditions is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20 in Town Hall. It’s the first time the town has called such a hearing.
If the owner does not comply with the law, the town could have the house demolished and charge the owner for the work. The town had boarded over the doors there in early October.
Shellie Gray and other neighbors had come to the Oct. 7 council meeting to ask about what the town is doing to get conditions improved there. She came again Nov. 4 and asked for an update.
Madison said three other properties in town have been cited for unsafe building law violations. They will be scheduled for public hearings if needed.
In other business
Countywide planning: Plasterer asked the council to consider becoming part of a planning process seeking state funding. At no cost to participating municipalities, the county will submit to the state a funding proposal including projects from each. In a similar process in 2023, the county’s application for the state’s Stellar grants program did not receive funding. The council took no action.
Electric easement: Council agreed to reimburse a Graceland Heights resident $1,459 for the cost of moving two sheds out of an electrical easement. Some years ago, the town building commissioner had allowed him to put the sheds in the easement. The town needed to have them moved so town equipment could have access to the lines after an outage this summer.
Neighbor’s concerns: A resident of West College Street asked if the town was aware of the building plans of a neighbor, who has demolished a building and regraded a lot. She is concerned that the new grade will send stormwater onto her property. The neighbor, who plans to build a garage, told the meeting that he has obtained town permits and that the new grade will settle and will not drain stormwater onto her property.
Festivals: Gary Schuette, the Heart of Hagerstown business group chairman, said planning is well along for its Hometown Christmas festival on Saturday, Dec. 7. A craft show, dance and musical performances, and other daytime activities are planned, with free carriage rides that evening. Michelle Huntington is chairing the event.
Fred Dill said planning will start soon for Jubilee Days, the town’s annual end-of-summer festival. Jeremy Jennings has agreed to chair it, as he did this year.
The council’s next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, in Town Hall, 49 E. College St. The public may attend.
A version of this article appeared in the November 13 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.