Wellsville Getting Tough On Weed & Grass Cutting

Wellsville residents may not have noticed. Many try to avoid looking at the unsightly and unkempt properties around town. A lot of them are owned by out of town residents that can be classified as "slum lords". They buy properties and either rent them out, all the while neglecting the upkeep and maintenance, or strip them of everything of value. Then they leave them sitting...forever. Some pay the taxes on the property and some simply walk away letting the County foreclose on them. They got everything they wanted out of them.

One such property that has been classified as "the worse one in the village" by some City Hall officials is the old Sterling China property. For those of us living in or around the village we don't need to describe the steady deterioration since it closed down as a pottery. Eventually it was sold at a foreclosure sale. Many of our visitors that came home for this year's All-Class Reunion just looked at it and sadly shook their heads while touring around the old hometown. Quite frankly it is an embarrassment to the Village of Wellsville. It's prime commercial property that is steadily losing value due to the owner's neglect. Acting Mayor Rosie Goss stated Thursday that the owner told her "that's what I do, buy property, get what I want out of it and walk away".

In this case it was mostly the pottery making machinery that came with the property at the sale a few years ago. Goss stated that he indicated he didn't care what happens to the property that is left. We got the idea that he is thumbing his nose at Wellsville.

Not widely known is that Goss & Village Administrator Jim Saracco has been busy doing something about such situations. The stimulus money awarded to the County for the Neighborhood Stabilization program was used by Village officials to get rid of six dilapidated structures so far. There are three more to go. That is a step forward. Goss & Saracco have been actively pursuing others that have properties being neglected with grass, weeds & trees growing unchecked.

The process goes like this: first a phone call is made to the owners they can locate reminding them that something needs to be done. If an owner can't be located or is unwilling to cut the weeds and grass, a letter is sent officially informing them they need to do some maintenance and that there are Village ordinances that apply. After a couple of weeks if nothing is accomplished a second letter is sent advising them they could be cited to Magistrate Court for failure to comply with the ordinances. As an alternative, if manpower is available, the Village has the option to have the work done themselves. Then they can file a lien with the County on the deed. If that property is ever sold the Village will eventually get its money back.

Goss said Thursday she has been in contact with the owner of the Sterling property. He agreed to come to town for a meeting to discuss the ordinances that apply to the upkeep of the property. By late Friday morning workmen could be seen using weed whackers, a brush hog and chain saws starting to clean up the property as pictured above. Now drivers can see up Commerce Street before pulling out of 12th St. There's a fire hydrant that can now easily and quickly be found if needed. Other issues about the property was discussed but at least it's a start on that piece of land.

Goss advised there are other properties in town that have also been pursued. Most of them are residential and for the sake of dignity we won't mention names or locations. The Acting Mayor said many of those contacted have been very cooperative. The recalcitrant ones will be dealt with in time. Goss also expressed her thanks for all Village residents and businesses that make a continual effort taking care and improving the appearance of their properties.

We say nice work...

ole nib