BURKET – Cleaning up properties in town was the main topic of discussion for the Burket Town Council Thursday.
Council President Bill Rayburn brought up a property on Broadway Street where several vehicles are parked. Rayburn said he has heard some “rumblings” about the vehicles not being plated. Rayburn said he has not been able to verify that and all the vehicles he’s seen are plated when he has gone past the property.
Rayburn counted six cars at the property Thursday and he said there are usually about 10.
Councilwoman Lena Ball said she thought as long as the vehicle was plated, the property owner could have any amount of vehicles on their property.
Rayburn read a town ordinance that defined a junk car as “any motor vehicle or remains thereof that does bear a current valid license plate or is inoperable.”
Rayburn said he would like to give the property owners a warning letter so they’re made aware having the vehicles on the property may possibly violate town ordinance. That will give the property owner an opportunity to explain to the council what they’re doing.
Earlier in the meeting, the council discussed some of the properties that were given ordinance violation letters last month.
A property on Main Street was given a violation letter. Rayburn said he ended up talking up with the property owner. The owner told Rayburn he didn’t realize the property was that bad.
Rayburn checked out the property last year after complaints about the property. He said the building is in poor repair and unsightly. There is also no power to the building. Rayburn didn’t think the building was an immediate danger to the community. Their backyard fence was also overgrown by weeds and tree limbs, which are protruding into the alley.
The council agreed to see if the property owner will continue to clean up the property.
The property owner came down for a couple days and fixed up the property a little bit. The owner said when the weather gets a little bit better, he would return and clean up the property more.
A property on Walnut Street was also talked about. Rayburn said he thought the property was cleaned up a little bit, but Rayburn said the council has not had any contact or feedback from the property owner.
The council agreed to send the owner of the Walnut Street property another violation letter and fine.
In other business, the council:
• Reminded residents trash pickup is now on Thursdays.
• Heard several stop signs around town are missing. Rayburn said he will have Street Superintendent Brad Bibler make a list of all the signs that need to be replaced.
• Heard a complaint about a pile of brush at a business next to the railroad.