Resident urges action on vacant homes, town board to add notice to water bills

Bridget Pugmire, a Randolph resident, told the Town Board on July 8 that vacant homes and overgrown lots in town pose fire risks and reduce housing availability. She passed out photographs and the Logan City ordinance on vacant buildings as an example and asked the board to consider similar rules for Randolph.

Board members discussed short-term steps and longer-term regulation. The board agreed to compose a notice to include with upcoming water statements; the notice under consideration would warn that the town may mow unmaintained properties and charge owners. Clay Barker said he would call neighboring communities to learn how they handle vacant properties, and the board indicated drafting a vacant-home ordinance could follow after research.

Pugmire also proposed holding town clean-up days with dump trailers provided by the town and suggested allowing lot splits so two houses could be placed on a one-acre lot to expand housing options. The board prioritized immediate fire-hazard mitigation and directed staff to draft the water-bill notice and return with sample language and potential costs.

The discussion was part of general business; no ordinance was introduced or voted on at the meeting. The town clerk will include the proposed notice in the next water-bill mailing if the board approves a final draft at a subsequent meeting.