Plum to demolish 3 properties this year, another moved to 2021 demolition list

Plum officials plan to demolish three properties deemed unsafe and eyesores in the borough this year.

Vegetation has overtaken structures at 430 Crestview Drive, 4611 Sardis Road and 113 Crystal Drive.

At least one has broken windows and cracks in the foundation.

All are in a “partially dismantled state,” according to a borough notice posted on the properties.

“We have almost 100 vacant or abandoned properties,” said Dave Soboslay, assistant borough manager. “Some of them are vacant, but are structurally sound. The ones to be demolished here are not structurally sound.”

The borough hosted public hearings about the properties in late July.

One of the properties originally on the demolition list this year, 9112-14 Maple St., was removed due to a financial development.

Borough Manager Mike Thomas said Plum budgeted $40,000 for demolition, but estimated asbestos removal of the Maple Street structure alone was listed at $60,000.

The property is expected to be added to next year’s demolition list.

Soboslay said asbestos abatement is common for properties on demolition lists, and “usually they have small amounts that don’t break the budget.”

Four to five properties is typical for Plum’s annual demolition efforts.

The borough spent about $31,000 to knock down five dilapidated structures last year.

“Unfortunately, we have to spend public monies to take out these eyesores,” Mayor Harry Schlegel said about demolitions. “It’s usually from people that have just abandoned their property, left in the middle of the night and have not taken care of it for years.

“We have issues where there are no heirs. Both parties who own the house pass away and their are no heirs, so the property sits vacant. Besides being an eyesore, it’s a health hazard. There are creatures living in there, and in a lot of cases we get rats. That poses a health issue to us. We have to do it.

“It’s just one of the things of doing business. Try to keep the community looking good and healthy. Plum is a desirable place to live, and we’re going to make sure that when we find a blighted property that we protect the property values of the neighbors.”

Council plans to put this year’s demolition list out for bid sometime in October.