Despite the Village’s best efforts thus far, debris at what was once a home at 98 Old Mill Road has not yet been cleaned up. Mayor Craig Miller described the site as “a terrible eyesore.”

At the latest Brocton Village Board meeting, Miller said the Village is in the same “legal limbo” as the town of Sheridan is with the former Pawn Starz site on Route 20. Miller does not want to use taxpayer dollars to clean up the property, and the Village does not want to assume liability for the property.

The fire took place just after 5 a.m. Christmas morning. It was determined to have started within the ceiling area of the basement. Zane A. Shattuck, 32, was found deceased within the residence.

Miller has been in contact with Code Enforcement Officer Wendy Spinuzza regarding the property, who has spoken with an attorney representing the estate.

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Brocton Mayor Craig Miller described the debris remaining at 98 Old Mill Road “a terrible eyesore.”

“It is on the front burner, but our hands are tied,” Miller said.

Also at the latest Board meeting, former Village Trustee Ed Bellando brought a list of concerns to the Board. He first reiterated his opposition to what he believes is a loosely enforced parking law, which Miller responded to by stating the law is enforced “as needed.”

Village officials stated the parking issues have improved since the law was implemented. “It’s better all the way around,” Highway Superintendent Ken Becker said.

Bellando also reiterated his issue with Board members who are also members of the Brocton Fire Department voting on matters pertaining to the Department without a legal declaration of necessity. Bellando called for village Attorney Peter Clark to resign while he was on the Board because he did not believe the village was being advised properly. At the latest meeting, Trustee Kari Doino called that demand “very disrespectful.”

Bellando later asked if Railroad Avenue was being plowed by the village and called on the matter to be researched further. Finally, he asked if all members of the Board had visited all of the departments of the Village prior to the presentation of the annual budget. Trustee Drew Ransom stated he has visited each department, while Doino stated that she did not feel a need to “start digging in” to each department if there does not seem to be an issue.

Bellando left the meeting after concluding his comments. When offered a chance to stay for the rest of the meeting, he responded that he had “better things to do.”

There were no other points of contention after Bellando departed. The Board unanimously agreed on every action item on the evening’s agenda.