FAIRMONT — The fate of a vacant and dilapidated home was the subject of intense debate during the town’s Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
The home at Pine and Holly streets was brought up by Commissioner Charles Kemp. He questioned the board and Town Manager Katrina Tatum about why the home has not been demolished for the owner’s failure to pay back taxes.
“Patience is a virtue,” Kemp said.
But, in this case, he’s running out of it, he said. He has personally reached out to the property’s owners and talked to them about the back taxes owed. Kemp said he believes the commissioners can get the home demolished because of the taxes and because, as he believes, it is an eyesore.
“I will not stop this effort to get the house down,” Kemp said. “There has to be a solution.”
Tatum said she also has reached out to the property owners. Town staff members still are researching if the owners are up to date with their taxes and can afford to pay off that debt.
It would cost the town $4,500 to demolish the home, Tatum said.
There are several others properties in town in similar condition and that need to be demolished, she said. But it’s an ongoing process. The town has made progress in the demolition of at least nine so far, but there are at least 30 properties that need the town’s attention.
Commissioner Casandra Gaddy said there is one close to her home, and she’s not happy about it.
“It’s in my back yard, and we haven’t come to a solution to get that house down,” she said.
Commissioner Felecia McClean-Kesler said Kemp is a bit too fixated on the property at Pine and Holly streets.
“Why is this house so important?” she said.
During the meeting the commissioners approved the purchase of .83 acres of land on Woodrow Road for $800.
Fairmont Police Chief Jon Edwards told the board it will be have a community meeting on Dec. 6 to hear about the concerns and issues of the residents and business owners.
Commissioner Terry Evans was absent from the meeting.
