Manlius to begin condemnation process
MANLIUS — Due to lack of communication from Linda Hard and Ted Hannon, owners of dilapidated properties on 113 and 115 E. Maple, the village is proceeding with court filings to have the matter resolved.
At the Manlius Village Board meeting, village attorney Mick Henneberry said, “Since our last board meeting, which I explained that as long as I received positive communication from Linda Hard and Ted Hannon with regards to their properties, I would try to work with them to come to an agreeable solution for all concerned.
“As of today, I have received two communications; one from each party. Neither communication has given me the positive satisfaction I was hoping for, so per the board’s request, I will file the proper paperwork with the courts this week, so that the condemnation process can progress as quickly as possible.”
There was also much discussion at the meeting about the further deterioration of the buildings. According to board members and village residents, both structures have been shifting and moving in various directions. Jack Kusek of McClure Engineering was present at the meeting and also voiced his concerns.
“Both buildings could go at any time; they are falling into more disrepair every day,” he said.
Besides caution tape and barricades blocking the buildings, the board has also decided to put up a sturdier fence to prevent children as well as the curious from walking directly past the buildings.
Trustee Trisha Johnson volunteered to contact a company and ask them to put up a stronger, more durable fence as quickly as possible.
In other business, maintenance supervisor Mike Roland brought to the board’s attention the purchasing of a loader/backhoe to replace the loader the village currently has, which is more than 20 years old and currently inoperable.
Roland was able to locate a used backhoe/loader from Central Illinois Equipment of Hennepin for $27,500. The board is interested, but it needed additional information on the vehicle.
Mayor Gene Menard suggested the board recess at the end of the meeting and meet again in two weeks. This would give board members a chance to think over such a purchase and/or come up with another solution if possible. The board will reconvene at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 to discuss and vote on this matter.
In other business, the board:
• Approved the holiday lighting contest for the village of Manlius. The judging will be on Dec. 20 and will be judged again by Bureau Valley National Honor Society students.
• Appointed Trustees Jan Williams, Dawn Reglin and Trisha Johnson to the village Christmas committee. They will meet later in the month to decide what the village will be doing to highlight Manlius during the holiday season.
• Reported there are still residents who have not yet filled out their income surveys and that time is running out. Board members will still be knocking on doors, trying to get to as many residents as possible. The board is asking residents to take the time to answer doors and fill out surveys.
• Would like to remind village residents of the open forum meeting. It is held every third Thursday at the community building in Manlius from 7 to 9 p.m. All are invited to come and express concerns, or get information on what the board is doing.
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