Board moves to begin abatement process at 401 South Main Street amid safety concerns

The Chair moved to begin the official abatement process for the property at 401 South Main Street after staff reported multiple ordinance violations and structural concerns, including exposed basement openings. The board recorded that the fire department had boarded openings and that a prior contractor had secured the building temporarily.

The Chair said the motion was to order cleanup of the property and to direct the building department to move forward with abatement of the structure, and also to place a lien on the property if necessary. The board discussed prior sales of the property and noted previous purchase prices referenced in the record (approximately $34,000 and $30,000 in past transactions). The Chair suggested that, if feasible, a nonprofit such as Habitat for Humanity might take over and repurpose the structure, but expressed concern about how long the board should wait before ordering removal.

Members agreed to delay formal demolition/abatement action by two weeks to give the owner an opportunity to present a timeline, a plan and contractor information; the Chair said that anything less than a clear timeline and plan would prompt the board to proceed with removal and lien placement. The transcript records board direction to the building department to begin abatement procedures and to follow up after the two‑week period, but it does not record a detailed roll-call vote tally for the motion in the transcript; the Chair repeatedly indicated assent among members.

Next procedural steps recorded in the discussion: staff to liaise with the owner to request a plan and contractor information within two weeks; if the owner fails to provide an adequate plan, the building department was instructed to proceed with abatement and lien placement.