A Pine Grove property is moving along in the blighted process.
During the Warren County Blighted Property Review Committee meeting on Thursday, members discussed 102 Cottage Pl. Charles Morrison, Pine Grove Township supervisor, said the property owners won't recognize registered letters they send.
Joe Scully, committee member, said there are other ways to get letters to people. As a Glade Township supervisor, he said they have sent letters through the sheriff's department.
Paul Pascuzzi, committee chairperson, said the letters haven't been returned yet. Presumably, they're still out there.
"This is in a residential neighborhood," Pascuzzi said. "Pine Grove does have zoning."
When they first approached the owners, Morrison said they didn't say they couldn't take pictures inside the property. Pascuzzi complimented the supervisors on the pictures which depict the property's blighted condition inside and out.
Just two and a half months after the residents moved out, Morrison said they took the pictures of the blight. As supervisors, Pascuzzi said they did their due diligence.
Pictures were taken in June or July, Morrison said. The property is unfit for its intended use, Pascuzzi said, and has been declared a nuisance.
Currently, Pascuzzi said the property is in violation. Although supervisors filed a nuisance complaint, Morrison said the owners have not responded.
"There are two situations," Pascuzzi said. "There's blight and nuisance."
According to Morrison, Alan Gustafson of the city's building code office placed a condemned sign on the property. However, Pascuzzi said there's a good chance officials won't get a response.
It isn't that big of a lot, Morrison said, and it has to be accessed through a neighbor's driveway. Those who live around it want to see it gone.
Dave Wholeben, committee member, asked who started the blighted process. Morrison confirmed it was the supervisors.
The door on the structure is still wide open, Pascuzzi said, and the building is unsecured. With an open door, Morrison said the house is a danger to children running around the neighborhood.
To take action towards securing the building, Pascuzzi advised the supervisors to check with their solicitor. Depending on the township code, they could be allowed to board up the doors and windows.
"You have one of the best fire departments in the county," Pascuzzi said. "I don't think they need it as a training ground."
The sooner the property moves forward, Scully said it will make the community safer. Next, Pascuzzi said it moves to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Committee members planned to hold their next meeting at noon on Thursday, Nov. 15 in the commissioners conference room at the Warren County Courthouse.