The Sandoval Village Board heard frustration from neighbors of a dilapidated home the city has been trying to tear down for three years.
Village Attorney Ryan Conner says the case has some special circumstances but they are getting closer to going to trial with home owner Chris Melton who maintains he is fixing up the property.
The neighbors and Sandoval Police Chief Joe Lyons said they hadn’t seen any improvements.
Conner noted Melton had agreed at the last court hearing to allow for an inspection of the inside of the home. The board agreed to allow Conner to hire the inspector of his choice to complete the inspection and be available as an expert witness in trial.
Conner also encouraged those upset by the condition of the property to attend the court hearings to try and get the judge to get the case moving. A pre-trial hearing is set for May 23rd when a trial may be set.
Conner says earlier delays included the sale of the property to Melton and at one point some effort he was making to improve the home.
In another case of a derelict home, Conner says the property owner is cooperating. The board awarded a $7,500 bid to Chuck’s Excavating in Salem to tear down the home at 201 Clay.
