BEACHBURG — The house at 1802 Beachburg Road in Beachburg is not up to property standards and complaints have been brought to Doug Schultz, the bylaw enforcement officer for the Township of Whitewater Region.
“It’s derelict,” he said at last week’s Protective Services committee meeting.
Giving a brief history, he noted three years ago there were water problems in the abandoned building and electricity and water was turned off.
Since then, the township has been trying to contact the owner, but there has been no response to any letters sent out, Mr. Schultz said.
Orders to comply have been issued and the neighbours have been kind enough to cut the grass, he said.
There are newspapers on the front windows that make the building look scraggily, Mr. Schultz said.
Mr. Schultz spoke to Mayor Hal Johnson about boarding up the building, but that was a no-go, he said.
Mr. Schultz said the township has the authority to paint the windows, and he has painted one so far.
Councillor Cathy Regier said, “It’s an eyesore on the main street.”
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned what liability there is to the township, and Mr. Schultz said due to its property standards bylaw, township employees, on direction from council, can board and barricade the windows.
Coun. McLaughlin suggested hiring a painter rather than have the bylaw officer painting the windows.
However, Mr. Schultz said there’s only for our five windows, it won’t take him long.
Following the committee meeting, a council meeting was held and council agreed to have the front windows of the building painted.
Editor’s Note: The front of the building is now being used as a sign board for the upcoming world freestyle kayaking event being held in the township from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5.
