Problem properties

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The state of rental properties near homeowners was brought to Greenfield Village Council members at Wednesday’s meeting, and will be addressed with the law director at the next meeting.

Two homeowners on and near the corner of Jefferson and Sixth streets came to council bearing concerns of the state of rental properties they said were near their homes.

Each said that the roaches and mice coming from the rental properties have prompted them to have to have exterminators come to their own homes on multiple occasions. They have also said they talked to the landlord of the rental properties, who has been “nonchalant” about the situation.

Trash and syringes found on their own properties and drug activity that has occurred at the rental properties is also a concern, they said.

A recent “onslaught of roaches and mice,” they said, spurred their addressing council as other avenues for help have not panned out.

“We keep talking about how we want to clean up Greenfield,” one of the homeowners said. “This is a good place to start.”

City Manager Ron Coffey said he recently spoke to the landlord in question, who indicated that he intended to clean the places up since renters had recently moved out. Additionally, Coffey said, the landlord said he was working on a new type of lease that would allow for an inspection of the property when rent is collected.

Council member Chris Borreson said the problem that the homeowners described is not uncommon in Greenfield, and suggested that the village look into legislation on the matter and consult with law director Brian Zets.

“We need to do something,” Borreson said. “It drags down the entire community.”

Council member Brenda Losey said the matter would have to be researched. Council member Bill Redenbaugh agreed that something needs to be done.

Redenbaugh, who is also a landlord, said that Hillsboro has landlord meetings with a city council member in attendance. He suggested that perhaps Greenfield could look into that.

Borreson suggested looking into the practices of Hillsboro and other towns in regard to landlords and rental properties and see what’s working.

Council members said Zets would look into the matter.

On another matter, an ordinance making a block of Second Street two-way, between Jefferson and Mirabeau streets, had its third reading and was adopted by a 4-1 vote, with Bergstrom dissenting.

The change will take place after 30 days.

In other business, Redenbaugh, who serves on the Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District Board, covered the details of two past meetings which were previously reported by The Times-Gazette.

The next regular meeting of the fire board is Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at the station on North Washington Street. The meeting is open to the public.

Coffey reported that a cleanup day for Greenfield is scheduled for Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A dumpster will be available near the railroad tracks across from the Waddell Company. Everyone bringing trash is asked to also bring a form of identification like a water bill, that shows their residence to be in Greenfield. He said the basic service is free, but there are charges for tires and “certain other materials.”

The city manager also reported that the Paint Creek Firefighter Association’s Halloween Parade is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. with the lineup for the parade at the colonnades on North Fifth Street beginning at 5 p.m.

Greenfield’s Safe Trick or Treat will be Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6-8 p.m. on South Washington Street. In the case of inclement weather, Coffey said the event could be moved to the colonnades at the school.

Luka Papalko of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) recently visited Greenfield for a presentation for residents that included PUCO’s services and regulating utility prices. He also told residents to go to energychoice.ohio.gov when comparing rate offers from various providers. The website is a service of PUCO, Coffey said.

Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.

Greenfield Village Council members Chris Borreson, left, and Bill Redenbaugh, right, are pictured during Wednesday’s council meeting. Council member Betty Jackman is also pictured.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2015/10/web1_7Oct2015Council.jpgGreenfield Village Council members Chris Borreson, left, and Bill Redenbaugh, right, are pictured during Wednesday’s council meeting. Council member Betty Jackman is also pictured.
Homeowners address council about unkept rentals

By Angela Shepherd

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