As published in the Courier-Tribune on July 12, 2012
By Hugh Martin
STAR — Several Star residents have turned to the town for help to clean up a property at 413 Temple Terrace.
According to neighbors, the property has been abandoned and allowed to become overgrown with brush, creating a habitat for rats and snakes.
The request for assistance was made at the June meeting of the Star Board of Commissioners. At that time the town’s attorney, Max Garner, was asked to look into the situation and advise the town on how to proceed.
A more distressing concern to the neighborhood is the presence of a stagnant swimming pool that has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
According to Montgomery County tax records, the tax value of the house and property is valued at $438,865. The owner is listed as Melissa L. Cagle.
Town Clerk Robin Hussey told the board that she had not been able to contact the owner since the address she has on file is delivered directly to the property in question.
Star Police Chief Tracey Phillips said the town has an ordinance that addresses overgrown property and the owner had been served with papers. She did not elaborate on what had been served.
The board discussed the possibility of having the property cleaned up and attaching the costs to the property taxes. This would include having the pool pumped out and properly disposing of the water.
Neighbors urged the board to proceed with the cleanup and asked if it could be declared a health hazard. Hussey reported that she had been in contact with the Montgomery County Health Department and was told that if the property was unoccupied, there was nothing that they could do.
Mayor Susan Eggleston assured the neighbors the town would make sure that the matter was resolved.
In other business, Eggleston and Commissioners Eddie Bernard, Alice Clemens, Jennifer Fountain, Steve Lassiter and Richard Hinson:
* Heard a quarterly report from Marla Coulthard on the status of the Community Development Block Grant that the town is managing on behalf of STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise.
* Approved the bid for the 2012 audit in the amount of $7,000 from Maxton McDowell. No other firms were considered.
* Voted to approve the bid of $304,568.25 from Columbus Utilities for the installation of a sewer line to the Carolina Growler facility north of Star.
* Approved Chief Phillips’ request to accept bids on a surplus 2003 Crown Victoria police car.
* Heard a report from Sheila Menendez on the Star Heritage Center activities that are ongoing at the Pink House facility.
* Heard a plea from Eggleston for the community to get involved in funding expansion plans for the town’s public library. Eggleston said the library needs contributions totaling $2,500 to upgrade the space.
