Property Manager Urges Action on Overgrown, Pest-Infested House on Demolition List

During the citizen-participation portion of the Aug. 12 meeting, Justin Galvin, property manager for 118 Regina Street, urged Whitaker Borough Council to address severe overgrowth and a den of skunks at the adjacent property, 116 Regina Street, which he said is on the borough's demolition list.

Galvin told council the vegetation is "over the roof" of 116 Regina and is encroaching on his rental at 118, tearing siding and causing nuisance conditions. He said the health department visited and that neighbors have paid veterinary bills after pets were sprayed. "There are children," he added, and he provided photos to the borough. Galvin asked whether borough workers or a third-party contractor could remove the weeds and wildlife hazards; council members replied the property is on the demolition list and that a grant application to demolish the structure is pending and expected to be known by the next meeting.

Councilman Rich Lassige said lien letters and other enforcement actions have been used on similar properties; Secretary Michele Lippert said the borough would know the status of the demolition grant by the next meeting. President Dave Funk told Galvin he may cut vegetation up to his property line but not onto a neighboring lot. Councilman Al Race said a private trapper (XPEL) has set traps on some borough properties in the past; Galvin said the vendor would not place traps on private property and that neighbors did not want skunks drawn onto their yards.

The meeting record shows the borough has authority under its ordinance to notify owners and, after notice and opportunity to comply, to hire a contractor or use an authorized employee to remove weeds and recover costs from owners; council said the lack of a living owner for 116 Regina complicates cost recovery and is part of the reason the property is on the demolition list.