Residents press Ranlo council on nuisance properties, drainage and stormwater fees

Several residents used the public‑comment period at the July 10 Ranlo meeting to raise recurring neighborhood problems and request follow-up from town staff.

Nikki Bischoff described two properties she said are blighted at 405 and 407 Wood Street/Nons Circle: overgrown yards, open windows, and a lack of power and water at the properties she identified. "The yards are such a mess," she said, and added that she had called code enforcement multiple times and that a sign had been posted in one yard. The chair and other commissioners said a new code‑enforcement officer has been working these cases and that staff had placed notices and were attempting to contact owners.

Sherry Corner told the board she saw what she believed to be 36 gallons of water used overnight on her bill and described severe yard drainage that she said sometimes causes flooding into her property. Staff offered a basic test for a running toilet (food coloring in the tank) and the chair said public works would be asked to inspect and propose options that would not be cost prohibitive.

Rick Benfield raised long‑running problems on Branch Street, asking the town to enforce property cleanup and to consider bringing a roll‑off dumpster to remove accumulated junk. He named a local resident by surname and called for stronger enforcement and, if necessary, billing the property owner for cleanups. He also reported hazardous trees that recently fell onto power lines and urged removal before they cause injuries or property damage.

Commissioners told speakers that staff will pursue ownership contact, assess dangerous trees and the drainage issues, and attempt to coordinate cleanups where possible. Several commissioners reiterated that some services (bulk pickup, leaf collection) differ from neighboring jurisdictions and outlined steps residents should take to request service.