BY DEBBIE PAGE

The Troutman Town Council discussed two proposals for trash and recycling pickup to help combat rising prices for the services during its pre-agenda meeting on Monday.

One proposal is for $17 per household per month for five years but using existing rollout containers with an additional cost of $1 per container to add Troutman stickers (at Troutman’s cost) to them. Damaged containers would be replaced as needed. The containers could be Troutman’s after five years at a cost of $20 each.

The other proposal for a five- to seven-year contract at $18.52 per month, with new Troutman branded rollout containers provided that would belong to the town after the seventh year. This company has contracts with nearby towns, and officials gave Troutman staff favorable reports about the company’s service.

However, both contracts include the potential for annual increases based on inflation.

Negotiations and details are continuing with both companies, with the council expected to make a decision on which company to contract with on Thursday night.

Council is also considering a garbage/leaf and limb/recycling rate increase to residents next fiscal year because the current service loses money.

HOUSE DEMOLITION

The council is also considering a request by Code Enforcement Officer Shane Harris to demolish an abandoned house at 135 Ruffin Loop. The property does not meet minimum housing standards set forth within the town’s Unified Code of Ordinances, according to Harris.

The town has received complaints about the residence since June of 2022. After an inspection in January, the town held a hearing to present its findings, but the owner did not attend.

Harris said numerous letters and certified letters were sent and signed for about the problems and hearing, but the town has had no response from the owner.

The inspection’s finding of facts include an unsafe and insecure house, rotted beams along the roof line, busted windows and broken glass scattered across the premises, exterior doors and windows not being watertight, and a deteriorated foundation.

The home is full of fecal matter and urine stains on carpet, the ceiling is falling in, walls are cracking because of foundation issues, insulation is falling out of ceiling, charred wood is in ceiling from previous fire, and no working heating exists, according to the town.

Other problems include exposed wires, falling ceiling lights, damaged hot water tank, a rotting kitchen floor and a large hole in a kitchen wall, and a bathroom with the same issues.

Harris gave a ballpark estimate of repair costs reaching at least $40,000, but the house’s tax value is only $45,000. Until the town asks for quotes, the repair cost is undetermined. However, since the repair costs exceed 50 percent of the home’s value, the property qualifies for condemnation.

“It’s my opinion that the abandoned residential structure at 135 Ruffin Loop be demolished due to the conditions found to be present as unsafe, unsecure, and unfit for human habitation,” Harris concluded in his report.

The house also has asbestos, mold, and other hazardous materials, said Town Manager Ron Wyatt.

Harris is asking the council to pass an ordinance on Thursday night authorizing the initiation of the process to demolish the house. If the council votes to proceed, Harris will get the actual cost for safe removal of hazardous materials and demolition for the council to consider in May.

Wyatt said the town would put a lien on the property and could sell the lot, possibly subdivided, to recoup the demolition costs. Legal fees will also incurred in this process. Town Attorney Gary Thomas said a court order would determine when and what the town can do.

OTHER BUSINESS

Other business for the Thursday night meeting includes:

♦ Board of Adjustment appointment of a person to replace inside voting member Kenny Overcash, who is retiring from the board, and an ETJ Voting Member for a term expiring May 24, 2024.

♦ Planning and Zoning Board appointment of an inside voting member for a term expiring May 14, 2024, and an ETJ voting member for a term expiring June 30, 2024.

♦ The ABC Store quarterly report.

RECOGNITIONS

♦ Selection of Town of Troutman Citizen of the Year.
♦ Selection of Town of Troutman Organization of the Year.
♦ Recognition of Amber Ward as Town of Troutman Employee of the Month for March 2024.
♦ Proclamation recognizing Kevin Reed Jr., Crew Chief for Venturini Motorsports.
♦ Proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month.