by Geoff Fox
The Washington County Building Code Board of Appeals has given directives for action on two blighted properties in Hancock and one in Williamsport. Their actions came last Wednesday, January 15, during a public hearing at the first meeting of the year for the board.
Under new business, two Hancock properties were 144 West Main Street and 110 West High Street to be discussed. The other was a structure on Wright Road in Williamsport.
Town Manager Mike Faith was one of six people from Hancock who attended the public hearing.
Faith said Kenneth Apple, who owns 144 West Main Street, was in attendance.
During discussion by the county board, Apple said he wants to repair the building and has a contractor selected.
The board voted unanimously gave Apple 30 days to secure a permit and if one weren’t pulled, another hearing would be held.
Faith said the owner of 110 West High Street was not present at the meeting and the board unanimously voted for the house to be demolished at the cost of the owner.
Both owners have 30 days to appeal the board’s decision
The properties were both posted for the hearing and owners were contacted about the board hearing via certified letter.
The Building Code Board of Appeals is a five-member board comprised of professional engineers, architects and building contractors. The board also hears and rules on matters appealing a decision of the Director of the Division of Permits and Inspections regarding the Washington County Building Code.
Town focuses on buildings
The night before the county hearing, Hancock town officials held their monthly town meeting and a couple structures were brought up that should be added to the list.
Former Mayor Dan Murphy asked town officials to focus on a couple of buildings — including other buildings owned by Apple — 213 West High Street, and the house beside Subway.
The structures Murphy brought up were not part of the county’s hearing and have yet to be posted for any Building Code Board meeting.
The house on High Street and the house beside Subway on Main Street are among the first ones people see when they come into Hancock and act as “Welcome to Hancock” signs, Murphy noted.
Faith told Murphy the county is taking the worst structures first. Mayor Roland Lanehart, Jr. said the county is working with the town on the properties.
Faith said one problem is that officials have not being able to contact the owner of the Main Street structure.
A couple had bought the property and began fixing it up but they ended up getting divorced and other issues arose.
Faith added it wouldn’t be a barrier moving forward but he wanted to let it be known they’ve tried to reach out to the owners to at least mow the grass, but they haven’t been able to get in touch.
On the east side of the town, Murphy said the “Welcome to Hancock” view is just as bad.
He said there’s a stone pillar that had been hit by a vehicle that hasn’t been repaired and another near the Legion that had been hit and still hasn’t been repaired, as well as couches in people’s yards.
“Unless you’re coming in over Blue Hill, you’re not going to get a good look at our town,” Murphy said. “And that tears my heart out.”
The former mayor said he didn’t know if there was a way to hold some type of event or gentle, subtle pressure elected officials could request something be done, to get some improvements made.
