SILVER CREEK - The village is still unsure of the cost of the demolition of the unsafe building at 205-207 Central Ave. in Silver Creek. It is also unknown who will foot the bill when it comes in.
At a previous meeting, the Silver Creek Village Board transferred $1,547 from the unappropriated fund balance to an account for demolition of unsafe buildings. Mayor Kurt Lindstrom explained the money is for the asbestos survey and engineering.
At a more recent meeting the board also approved a payment of $4,784 for the cost of the county landfill to accept the building debris from the demolition, which came out of the unappropriated fund balance.
Resident and former Village Trustee Anna Frederickson has asked the village board several times if it has a total cost for the demolition which occurred over a month ago.
"Has anyone had any conversation with the owner to repay taxpayers for the demolition and debris removal? Do you know how much it was for the demolition?," she asked.
Lindstrom said the owner had not been reached and he does not know the cost. After the meeting Lindstrom said there will be other bills coming in for the emergency project.
Frederickson has been vocal on the issue since the demolition occurred and has asked the board in the past if the village will be on the hook for the bill.
Lindstrom and the board have not had answers to this question.
"I worked for 52 years and I don't like decisions of this board to take any more of my income. I don't think the village is in the demolition business ... I know it had to be done, I'm not disputing that. In this age of technology surely this could have been discussed. I would like answers to these questions as soon as possible," Frederickson said at a previous meeting.
The next village board meeting will be held Monday.
