Brownsville property owner says he has a buyer
BROWNSVILLE – The borough solicitor is looking into a letter presented to the borough council Tuesday by property owner Ernest Liggett who says he has a buyer for his Brownsville properties. Liggett presented the letter to council during the public comment period of Tuesday’s council meeting, saying the buyer is willing to enter into negotiations with the borough and to post a $25,000 bond with the borough to assure that the buildings being purchased are repaired or demolished as needed.
“They are willing to meet with you as early as next week,” Liggett told council.
Liggett said there is a 45-day window of opportunity for the sale of the properties and the negotiations with the borough regarding code enforcement.
An aggressive code enforcement program was kicked off in the borough Tuesday morning, funded by a state grant to cover a full-time code enforcement officer for the downtown area and litigation that may result from that enforcement. There is litigation involving a property currently owned by Liggett pending in Fayette County Common Pleas Court.
Council President Jack Lawver said council could not act on the letter at Tuesday’s meeting, since it had just been received, though it was referred to the solicitor.
“Once we’ve investigated what he presented, we will set up a meeting. We’re willing to talk to anyone who wants to buy the property. We just want it fixed up or torn down,” Dellarose said.
In other matters, borough resident Carl Blakey, who teaches in the Albert Gallatin School District, offered to volunteer as a part-time recreational aide at Fenwick Park. He suggested that a full-court basketball be put in at the park.
“We’ve got kids running wild because there’s nothing for them to do,” Blakey said.
Lawver noted that the junior council members are looking into grants for recreation programs and equipment. He said he would also see if there are any openings on the borough recreation board if Blakey is interested in serving. Lawver said there have been numerous problems in the past with vandalism at the park, with one donated basketball hoop lasting about a week.
It was reported that a project including new fencing at Fenwick Park is ready to be let for bids, which council voted to do. Councilman Robert Pritts said perimeter fencing and set hours for all of the borough’s parks and playgrounds is one way to try to reduce vandalism.
Councilman Charles “Russ” McMaster said he has received requests from residents on the North Side for a stop sign near the Fifth Avenue playground to help slow traffic down. Lawver said the police would conduct a traffic survey there to determine the best way to address the problem.
Councilman Robert Pritts reported that the police department has purchased a Tazer stun gun.
In accordance with that purchase, council amended the controlled weapon policy. Pritts also thanked McMaster for donated a night vision camera to the police department to aid in their investigations.
Council voted to turn over the fire halls and equipment to the two borough volunteer fire departments to use the property for collateral for loans and grants for equipment.
Councilmen Martin Redigan and Jack Lawver abstained from voting since they are fire department officers.