The Hamlet Zoning Board has chosen a demolition contractor for 503 South Starke Street. During a special meeting Wednesday, board members hired JD Excavating to remove the house, unless the owners complete the demolition themselves by September 9. The company submitted the lower of two bids at $6,800.
The town ordered owners Robert and Rachelle Foust to tear down the building, after they failed to complete needed repairs after several months. They didn’t show up to Wednesday’s meeting as requested, but Board Member Brian Earnest said they do seem to be working on the demolition process. “They’ve got it emptied now, and they said they were going to start tearing it down on their own, with us not having to do it,” Earnest noted. “But we need a timeframe on that portion of it now.”
Town officials also pointed out that the owners still haven’t paid for almost $1,100 worth of water equipment that was installed by the town, but they have continued to pay taxes on the property.
The zoning board also agreed to schedule hearings on unsafe garages at 200 West Davis Street and a lot on Railroad Street and issue notice to the property owners.
