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Cedar Lake Unsafe Buildings Board elects officers, approves minutes and defers multiple cases
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting the Cedar Lake Unsafe Buildings Board elected a president and vice chairman, approved December minutes, deferred several unsafe-property matters (including 14616 Dewey Street to March 18) and removed a shed case from the active list; most motions passed unanimously, 3–0.
The Town of Cedar Lake Unsafe Buildings Board held its regular meeting on Jan. 21, 2026, electing officers, approving minutes from Dec. 17, 2025, and taking formal action on a slate of unsafe-property cases.
In governance matters the board accepted nominations and recorded votes for its officers. Rich Deal was nominated for president and the board recorded motions to fill officer positions; Greg Parker was nominated and confirmed as vice chairman. The board then approved the Dec. 17 meeting minutes by roll call, recorded as 3–0.
On case business the board approved a series of deferrals and one removal: 14616 Dewey Street was deferred 60 days after the owner, Tom Frick, declined to grant a town drainage easement and said he would pursue private drainage plans; 7704 West 134th Court and 13957 Fairbank Street were each deferred 30 days to allow owners or contractors time to provide missing site plans or evidence of rehabilitation; 13438 Hilltop was deferred 30 days for further research into ownership because certified letters produced no response; and 75136 Lane was removed from the unsafe list after the shed was torn down.
The board also received updates on demolition permits and tax-sale activity. Staff reported a demolition permit for a collapsed garage at 13858 Butternut Street had been processed and that a tax-sale claim tied to a prior property (Fernwood Mogan) could yield surplus funds estimated between $7,000 and $10,000 after probate expenses; the town’s claim was estimated in the transcript as roughly $4,000–$6,000.
On a potential unsafe item, contractor Mr. Serrano (1325 Tyler Street) said an architect is preparing plans and he expects to apply for permits within a few weeks; the board set a requirement that the building be secured within 30 days and that permits be filed within 60 days. The board emphasized that past projects that moved to sale without final inspection were unacceptable and instructed strict adherence to inspection and closure procedures.
The board set its next meeting for Feb. 18, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
