5 Plum properties set to be demolished

Plum officials hired a borough-based construction company to demolish five dilapidated structures.

Council voted 6-0 at the July 8 meeting to award the $31,500 contract to Cherep Construction.

Councilman Dave Majernick was absent. A start date for demolition was not set.

Vacant properties to be razed are at 338 Coxcomb Hill Road, 1007 Old Frankstown Road, 3158 and 3209 Universal Road and a garage at 9116 Oak Street.

Borough engineer Robert Mitall said the structures have multiple code violations, were deemed unsafe and “in danger of falling over.”

The borough had public hearings for the properties in October.

Borough Manager Michael Thomas said contacting the property owners was challenging, and the borough must address safety issues.

“It’s to get rid of nuisance properties, dangerous structures and things that are negatively impacting neighbors’ property values,” Thomas said. “It’s safety. We’ve got these dangerous structures. Sometimes, they’re not secured so kids go in them. Kids could get hurt. Often times, because they’re uninhabited, mice, rats, snakes, raccoons, rabbits, birds, all kind of stuff living in them become a nuisance for adjacent neighbors.”

He said officials will have a preconstruction meeting with the contractor to discuss a project timeline.

The borough will file liens on the properties to help recoup demolition costs.

Plum averages about five demolitions annually.