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Village attorney outlines sheriff‑sale option to clear code‑violated Feeder Street property
Summary
Village Attorney Bill Nikas told the Board the Feeder Street parcel is subject to a code violation and carries a worker’s compensation lien of about $30,000–$40,000, and described pursuing assignment of that lien and a sheriff sale to gain title and expedite cleanup; he also reported heirs may convey title for a separate Liberty Place lot.
Mayor John Barton asked for an update on a pair of problem properties at the meeting of the Board of Trustees on Oct. 15, 2024. Village Attorney Bill Nikas responded with details about potential legal paths to clear blighted parcels.
Attorney Bill Nikas said the Feeder Street property is currently in a code-violation status and "he currently has a Worker's Comp lien against the property for about $30-$40,000." Nikas described an option for the Village to discuss assignment of that lien with the worker's compensation claimant's attorney and, if assigned, to pursue a sheriff sale that could transfer title and allow the Village to demolish or sell the lot. He cautioned the sheriff sale route would likely leave no surplus funds after sale proceeds are applied to liens.
On Liberty Place, Nikas said the owner has died and "there is a daughter and son who may be willing to turn over the title of the property allowing us to clean it up," a step that would allow the Village to address nuisance or safety issues without prolonged site-plan or nuisance litigation. The Board did not take a formal vote; Mayor Barton and the attorney said the matters are "in progress" and that the Village will continue to investigate legal options.
The update signals the Village is pursuing both lien-assignment and heir-conveyance strategies to resolve long-standing property concerns while noting limits: the sheriff-sale path would be expedited but likely leave no additional funds for remediation.
