×

Portage looks to evict residents

House in borough lacks water, heating and sewer service

PORTAGE — Borough Council will investigate options to potentially evict the occupants of a dilapidated building.

The property on 828 N. Railroad St. was previously deemed by borough engineer Gary Wisor as unsafe.

The building lacks water, heating and sewage systems and recently was blamed for an infestation of rats in the area.

The building is currently inhabited, with a disabled child among the occupants.

Because the building lacks water and sewage systems and concerns over the welfare of the disabled child, council members voiced interest in evicting the occupants.

“I think we need to move forward with this,” Mayor James Kissel said.

Kissel said the occupants use unconventional heating methods for the building, and many residents have expressed fear the building could catch on fire.

Because of the many issues with the building, Kissel said, evicting the occupants may be the best solution for the safety of the borough’s residents.

“I would rather evict them than risk the building catching on fire,” Kissel said.

Wisor said that under Section 106, Item B, of the borough’s ordinance, occupants can be ousted if a building is deemed unsafe.

“Causing danger to the safety or welfare of the occupants can be grounds to be vacated,” Wisor said.

Solicitor Michael Emerick said that a legal investigation will be needed to determine if the borough is able to evict the residents without a public hearing.

If a public hearing is not required, council can base the decision to evict the resident off of Wisor’s recommendation.

At council’s November meeting, Wisor recommended the building be demolished.

If a public hearing is needed, Emerick said the hearing will take place in February.

Emerick said if the occupants are able to correct the issues found, which includes the installation of a water, sewer and heating system, then council will not continue to pursue the eviction.

Council member Todd Learn said he was not comfortable evicting the residents during the winter season.

“I don’t want to see anyone out in the streets,” Learn said, “especially in the winter.”

Emerick said even if an eviction notice was sent, he was unsure if the residents would actually leave.

“What are the chances they actually do leave,” Emerick said. “Sending the eviction notice is one thing. Actually getting them to leave is another.

Kissel said allowing the occupants to stay in the building is “too much of a danger,” adding the borough should “send the police” if the occupants do not leave.

Emerick will investigate the issue further and see what council is legally able to do.

Council also unanimously approved the tentative budget for 2018, and for the eighth year in a row, residents of Portage will not see a tax increase.

The real estate millage for residents remains at 16.5 mills.

Earned income tax remains at 1.5 percent for residents, and local service tax remains at $52 per year.

With a total revenue of $1,187,577 and expenditures of $1,005,792, the borough expects a surplus of $181,784.

Council President Sharon McCarthy said she would have liked to see tax rates drop for residents, but because of upcoming expenditures, a decrease was “not possible at this time.”

“Health insurance and dilapidated properties have been a concern,” McCarthy said.

The borough’s health insurance rates will increase drastically in 2018, with expenditures expected to increase by $8,110.

Residents will also not see an increase in garbage collection rates for 2018.

Curbside service will remain at $14.30 per month.

Pro Disposal will remain as the borough’s trash collector for the sixth consecutive year, with the contract continued through December 2018.

The public budget adoption meeting will take place on 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today