Putnam County commissioners set deadlines, accept and dismiss several nuisance cases; one landowner granted extension

The Putnam County Commission on an announced agenda approved orders authorizing contractors to clean up properties, dismissed two cases after compliance, accepted and filed one complaint and granted a time extension for another landowner who said he needs more time and funds to finish cleanup.

Jordan Chapman, a county planning/compliance staff member, opened the discussion of multiple "day" cases by describing the condition and status of each property and the orders prepared for the commission. Chapman said the commission had previously authorized a placement of a dumpster and required cooperation, and in at least one instance the waste was removed on Sept. 29.

The most contested matter involved property owner Tim Carroll, who told the commission he is a part‑owner of two adjacent parcels on North Poplar Fork Road in Hurricane and said he has spent about $5,000 of his own money on demolition and removal. Carroll asked the commission to delay further enforcement for 60 days to allow him time to complete cleanup; he said he has rented equipment and hired an operator and expected additional hauling and rental costs of about $4,000–$5,000. Carroll also said he is starting a job with training next week that will keep him locally after the training period.

Carroll said, "I would respectfully request the board to delay this for another 60 days to give me the opportunity," and later added that he could provide biweekly updates to staff. County staff confirmed sanctions on the property had begun July 11 and were "accruing"; Chapman said sanctions had reached "up to $12,000 at this point." Commissioners discussed available assistance and whether the Solid Waste Authority or other county resources could help with disposal costs; staff agreed to follow up with the Solid Waste Authority to explore options.

After discussion, the commission voted to grant an extension and asked Carroll to provide an update at the Nov. 18 meeting. The motion passed with a second and an affirmative vote.

Other actions the commission took on day cases included: - Dismissing Day Case 2025‑09 (48 Songbird Lane, Nitro) after county staff confirmed the landowner complied with ordered dumpster placement and removal of waste; commissioners voted to dismiss the case. - Accepting an order for Day Case 2025‑10 (483 Daniel Boone Trail, Hurricane), where a newly served owner requested 90 days to remove abandoned structures; the commission approved the order requiring cooperation during that 90‑day period. - Accepting and filing the complaint in Day Case 2025‑19 (34 Davy Crockett Lane, Hurricane) for excessive debris and referring it for further action; the commission approved both accepting the complaint and filing it. - Reviewing recurring vegetation/abandoned‑structure matters at 61 Fourth Avenue South (Hometown) and 5386 Charleston Road (Bancroft). Staff noted the owners had trimmed overgrowth but had not provided long‑term plans; the commission voted to dismiss Day Case 2025‑24 and Day Case 2025‑25 for now, while staff recommended researching registration/fee approaches used by municipalities for long‑term vacant properties.

Commissioners repeatedly distinguished between discussion, staff direction and formal orders. For example, staff will follow up with the Solid Waste Authority to explore disposal alternatives for Carroll; the extension granted to Carroll was a time‑limited administrative direction rather than a waiver of enforcement.

The commission also asked staff to provide research on whether registration or vacancy fees (used by some municipalities to discourage long‑term abandonment) would be feasible countywide; staff took the request as a follow‑up task.

Ending: The commission recorded motions, seconds and unanimous aye votes on the above items and set the next review/update for the Nov. 18 meeting where Carroll and staff will report progress.