Accepts 7 lots from Staunton Hospital

Sue Campbell from Staunton Hospital deeded 7 lots back to the City of Benld.

Ron Releford, who currently owns the self-storage units on Central Avenue, approached the council on April 9, to get a business permit to build more storage units. Releford bought the lot where the old bakery was adjacent to the old Turcol’s tavern. Releford explained that he was not going to allow hazmat materials, tires, or vehicles. “It is in the contract.”

He plans to put in 10-15 units which will 10×15’ of 10×20’ in size on 6^th Street and Central Avenue. “I wanted to propose an ordinance that storage units cannot be built inside city limits any longer,” Tilashalski explained, “Most community have them on the edge of town or in parks. I certainly do not support any storage buildings on Central Avenue any longer.” Releford currently occupies self-storage units in 10 different cities that rest in the business district which are Chatham and even Auburn.

Releford responded that he bought the old grocery store to tear down and put storage sheds up. “That won’t happen if we get this ordinance passed,” Hendricks said.

“You guys will own it back then,” Releford responded, “I will put it in a corporation and dissolve it and it will be yours again.” The council voted 5-1 with objection from Chiardo to deny the business permit request.

Ron Releford explains that he wants to build self storage lots on the new property he bought.

Rick Vertichio then arrived and was questioned by the council if an ordinance could be written to prevent self-storage units from being built in the city limits. “The problem we have with that is the zoning issue and we don’t have zoning,” Vertichio stated. “You can vote not to issue him a business license, but it would be a difficult issue if he takes you to court.”

You have to have a basis for your decision, according to Vertichio, and just saying you do not want storage units in the city limits is not good enough. “To not issue a business license for storage units, I am not saying you will fail, but it is a question and I don’t know if we can write up an ordinance.” Vertichio said he would write up whatever the city wanted, but he was unsure how successful the ordinance would stand.

“You can pass them and deny them as you see fit,” Vertichio stated, “I don’t know if you can’t pass an ordinance stating you don’t want storage units. That way they are challenging a decision being made and not an ordinance. The decision would be taken to court and could get tough for the city. It is per say inappropriate and illegal.”

Sue Campbell then asked the council if they were interested in 7 lots behind the Community Family Practice Center. The Family Practice Center rests on Central Avenue across the street from the Benld Public Library.

The lots are directly behind the doctor’s office which is separated by an alley way. “We have no use for the lots and will never develop them,” Campbell explained, “Build Benld has done a very nice job with the gazebo, so I wanted to deed the lots back to city.”

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Years ago, the city deeded the lots to the hospital. But according to Campbell, the hospital is going to have to start paying taxes on the lots and would like to give them back to the city. Alderman Tilashalski gratefully accepted the offer, “As land is at a premium right now, I say we hold on to what we do have and graciously accept anything that is given to us.”

The council accepted the land 6-0. Sue Campbell explained that she is going to work with the City Attorney and get all the necessary paperwork done. Campbell did request rock in the alley as there is a rut in the alley way from water drainage. “We consider Benld as one of the communities we try to serve and you guys are friends of us,” Campbell closed.

Lynn Fraelle explained that it would save Kurt Kozac some time if she checked on the derelict properties. Fraelle asked if the city bills the entities when the city has to cut the grass. “Up to this point, the property owners usually take care of the grass after a notification,” Mayor Hendricks explained, “Our problem is not the foreclosures, it’s the property with the backed taxes.”

Fraelle went on to say that Build Benld has sent letters to local newspapers about the dissatisfaction about the Benld Post Office. Mrs. Betts could not answer any questions and gave us a run-around, so we sent out a letter to all the major newspapers and locals. According to Fraelle, she will leave a copy of who to contact if any citizens would be interested in calling.

Micky Robinson presented the Mayor with a $500 check from the Benld Fire Department. The money is to be used for tables in the civic center. “With the $500, we should have what we need,” Robinson explained, “But we will find out during our prime month next month.”

Robinson, city property chairman, went on to say that the city park is up and running except the gas. A city person needs to contact the gas company and turn that on as the first event in the park is this weekend. Robinson also said that the railroad trailers are still on the railroad tracks. Ed Sarracco informed Robinson that he is writing another letter to see if they can get something done with that.

Mayor Hendricks explained that the new committee appointments will go into effect on May 1. The new appointments are as follows: City Property will be Tilashalski, Robinson, Gruey. Finance will be Gruey, Bernot, and Hedrick. Maintenance will be Chiardo, Robinson, and Gruey. Police will be Hedrick, Chiardo, and Robinson. Sewer will be Robinson, Tilashalski, and Bernot. Water will be Bernot, Hedricks, and Chiardo.

The mayor will do the rest of the appointments in the May meeting. The appropriation ordinance will end April 30, 2013. As of this point in time, the mayor may have to amend and tweak a couple things. The appropriation ordinance was approved 6-0.

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Lastly, the “Conlee building” which is the old Turcol’s tavern has been partially torn down. According to Mayor Hendrichs, he started tearing it down after he read in the paper that the council was going to take action on the building. Vertichio then sent him a letter and he continued to tear it down until the sheriff and EPA got involved and everything has come to a halt. “He mentioned he is going to walk away from it now.”

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