Mercer to consider blight officer

MERCER — The town of Mercer Board of Supervisors on Thursday discussed the possibility of hiring a part time blight officer while determining a course of action for repeated violations.

A complaint from a neighbor brought an individual to the attention of the town board who had also had a 2019 motorhome violation that resulted in a permit purchase after several communications. The motorhome is back along with reported blight issues and the board discussed whether the township or Iron County should take action.

Town attorney Fritz Schellgell responded to comments regarding difficulties with getting the county to enforce the town’s blight ordinance. This is a common misinterpretation of ordinances that requires educating new employees and board members, he said.

The first step is to send a letter to inform the resident of the violation and the time allowed to remedy the situation, he said. The letter serves as the town board’s timetable to establish a legal framework for later action if necessary.

Jerry Huffmaster, the recycle and transfer station manager, was present at the meeting to show the stickers for the town’s residential garbage pickup program. The town transitioned from selling bags directly to residents to having the residents buy their own bags and purchase stickers that are priced according to bag size.

The residents and the town are saving money with the sticker program, Huffmaster said. People who live alone and don’t fill the small size bags each week may use the half-sticker, he said.

The board tabled action on a revised parking ordinance. After discussion, Schellgell said he would rewrite the ordinance to be more specific than the universal application of the proposed language. The ordinance will allow a business to establish a pick-up and drop-off zone with no-parking signage for one spot in front of a specific business.

There was no action taken on an item to review a request from a local business to deviate from the town of Mercer sidewalk ordinance. The delay was to direct the applicant to present the request in writing.

After discussion with Schellgell, the board decided that the current 48-inch clearance requirement for tables and chairs on sidewalks in front of businesses would remain the minimum and that businesses could apply in writing for an exception.

The board 4-0 approved a resolution as a show of appreciation to the Mercer Lioness. The organization is choosing to disband rather than accepting the national chapter directive to become part of the Lions Club.

“The Lioness’ have done a wonderful job in many ways,” said John Sendra, town board chair. “They have raised money for needed things such as Lighthouse for the Blind and have contributed to the community in many ways. We want to make it official by thanking all Lioness members for their service over the years, both past and present.”

The board was presented with two conditional use permit applications that were denied by Iron County Zoning. The town board previously approved the applications with the planning commission’s recommendation and with the stipulation that no occupancy or commercial use was allowed. County zoning said it could find no information that referenced the stipulation, said Kathy Tutt, chair of the planning commission.

The board 5-0 approved a letter to the county to indicate the town board and planning commission both included the stipulations in the approvals.

The second permit request was also denied in part for a proposed single 5,000 square-foot roof rather than three existing roofs. The roof line was considered oversized for the lot size.

Schellgell said the county applied impervious surface regulations in its decision which was adopted by the county but not the township. The town planning commission and town board were correct under town ordinances to ap-prove the application, he said.

In the town chair’s report, Sendra said that the Shay Dam project will be completed in 2021. The report from Cooper Engineering is that the patchwork to repair concrete on the dam would be conducted over a two week drawdown period to expose the worn areas starting on Aug. 15, 2021.

In the board supervisors reports, Eric Snow said he is getting complaints about lengthy vehicle lines for the town food pantry. The board agreed with his recommendation to have the cars line up on the less busy Railroad Street and exit at County J.

Snow also suggested that an agenda item be added to the next meeting to discuss revising the five-year plan regarding roads and to have town board approval of what road work will be conducted prior to awarding funding.

“I oppose paving new roads when our existing roads are crumbling,” Snow said.

Opal Roberts, supervisor, said she has received complaints regarding the upkeep of the cemetery. She suggested the town contract with a single company so that the same employees are trained to do the detailed work.

The board discussed the idea of moving the meetings back to the town hall after the state’s mask mandate expires on Sept. 28. The members decided that social distancing would not be possible in the town hall and that town board meetings would continue at the community center and would broadcast virtually for residents who do not wish to attend in person.