Residents Press White Oak Council on Blighted Lewis‑Clark Properties; Borough Says County Cleared One for Demolition

At the Sept. 15 meeting of the Borough of White Oak Council, residents of the Lewis‑Clark neighborhood pressed council members and borough staff to take stronger action on multiple blighted properties, citing uncut grass, open garbage, fallen ceilings and rodent and coyote concerns.

The residents’ appeal came during the public‑comment portion of the meeting under the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, 65 Pa. C.S. § 710.1. A resident who said she lives at 1225 Clark Street told council, “I brought pictures down. I’ve called, and nothing happens,” and asked for a list of properties and their current status.

Why it matters: Neighbors said the conditions are creating public‑health and safety risks and depressing nearby property values. Council members and staff described a mix of administrative hurdles and legal steps the borough has taken or is pursuing.

Borough response and next steps Borough staff told residents the borough had identified several properties for condemnation and demolition and that the county (referred to in the meeting as “COB”) had been given legal clearance to proceed on 2172 Lewis Street. A borough official said work on other addresses — including two properties on Osborne Street and a property on Allen Way — has yielded a potential purchaser who will rehabilitate those homes.

Borough Manager Ashley (last name not specified in the transcript) provided a scheduled follow‑up: “I have prepared letters that are gonna be going out in the next day or two with a plan to hold a condemnation hearing during next month’s meeting,” referring to 1901 Vermont Avenue, which she described as one of the borough’s blighted properties.

Council action on a demolition contract At the meeting the council also acted on a separate demolition contract. Joel Hardwick, chair of the Health, Environment and Cable committee, moved to reject a $13,000 demolition proposal from Cattell Enterprises for 1139 California Avenue; the motion passed. The council then approved a $13,200 proposal from Guffey Construction for the demolition of 1139 California Avenue and authorized the council president and borough manager to execute documents for that project. Both votes passed on voice votes recorded as “Aye.”

What residents described Speakers listed multiple addresses of concern, including: 1225 Clark Street; 1227 Clark Street (identified in public comment as owned by a Zach Barber and reported to have overgrown grass and yard ruts); 1242 Clark Street (described as condemned with black mold and fallen ceilings); 2172 Lewis Street (described by residents as condemned and slated for demolition); 2155 Lewis Street; 2163 Lewis Street (trash piled on the front porch); and 2113 Lewis Street (overgrown grass and a neglected swimming pool). Residents said some of the properties have unpaid taxes, collapsed ceilings, open garbage bags and wildlife on the lots.

Residents also described repeated attempts to contact the borough’s code enforcement officer, and one resident said the most common response was a brief drive‑by inspection with a promise to “try to get to it.” Several residents asked for a written list of properties with the borough’s descriptions; one asked the council to take her e‑mail and provide that list.

Distinguishing discussion, direction and decisions - Discussion: Multiple residents described long‑running problems and expressed frustration with apparent delays in enforcement and demolition. They raised concerns about unpaid taxes, open garbage, black mold and yard conditions. - Direction/assignment: Borough staff said letters will be sent and that a condemnation hearing is planned for the next month regarding 1901 Vermont Avenue. Staff also said legal clearance had been provided to the county for demolition of 2172 Lewis Street; borough staff indicated that county action is required to complete that demolition. - Formal action: Council rejected the Cattell Enterprises demolition proposal for 1139 California Avenue and approved a Guffey Construction proposal for $13,200 to demolish 1139 California Avenue; both motions passed.

Meeting context and implementation risk Public comment on blight drew multiple residents and several minutes of discussion; residents said they have been pressing the borough for years in some cases. Implementation of demolitions remains partly contingent on county action and on clearing competing legal claims, which staff said had previously delayed work on at least one property.

What to expect next Staff indicated letters will be mailed in the next days and that council intends to hold a condemnation hearing on 1901 Vermont Avenue at the next workshop meeting. Residents asked for written updates by e‑mail and for ongoing follow‑up from the borough manager’s office.