The city street department has begun the process of removing and cleaning up hazardous properties throughout Brookhaven this week.

Building inspector David Fearn told the Brookhaven Board of Aldermen Tuesday that six of the 13 nuisance structures approved as part of the fall 2016 clean-up list have been torn down.

“We’ve done six in the last two days, and are probably going to finish the rest of them this week,” Fearn said.

The board agreed to take action on the 13 properties at a July public hearing after there was no objection or contact from the owners. All of the structures are being cleaned up using the city’s equipment and manpower.

After each property is cleaned up, the city will send the owner a bill, Fearn said.

“If you don’t pay that bill, we’ll put a 25 percent penalty on it,” Fearn said. “If that’s not paid, then we’ll put a lien against the property. If you ever sell the property, whoever buys it will have to pay that. That’s how this whole process works.”

Most of the houses are being removed from the properties for $600 to $800.

“That includes everything,” he said. “That’s bringing in the equipment, knocking it down, cleaning it up and taking it away.”

Construction projects update

Ryan Holmes, an engineer with Dungan Engineering, updated the board on the Old Train Depot roof, the airport project and downtown makeover.

The Old Train Depot roof is well on its way to being complete, Holmes said.

“We’re still waiting on the tile to come in,” he said. “Those have been ordered. In order to not waste a lot of money ordering an excess amount of tile, we used all of the usable tile and then they placed their order for the new tile. The new tile should be here in the next two weeks.”

The roof structure is protected until the rest of the tile arrives, as the contractor, E Cornell Malone Corp., has sealed it, Holmes said.

“It’s water tight, so it’s protected from rain,” he continued. “They will also begin on the exterior painting and electrical work in the next two weeks.”

Holmes also reported that Sunbelt Sealing, the contractor for the airport project, has completed the airport runway pavement crack seal.

“The dry weather has been a big part of their excellent progress,” he said. “They’ve completed the crack sealing, and the pavement markings are scheduled to be finished Friday.”

The airport is still officially shut down, but the construction company is trying its best to accommodate local companies, Holmes said.

“The last thing I have to report is the downtown parking,” he continued. “It’s kind of the same as the last meeting. We’re just plugging along with plans and paperwork on that.”

Holmes and the board agreed to continue with their plan of waiting until January to advertise and bid on the renovations.

In other board business the board approved:

• To advertise for radio read water meters and water chemicals for the water treatment and waste water treatment plant.

• Greenbriar’s quote of $41,450 to replace the water line on Court Street.

• The first pay request from Proshot Concrete, Inc. for $91,288.88 for work completed on the Chickasaw Street drainage improvements.

• The third pay request from E Cornell Malone Corp. for $67,782.54 for work completed on the Old Train Depot roof improvements.

• The final resolution for a 10-year ad valorem tax exemption for Rex Lumber of Brookhaven for improvements to the facility in 2015.

• A beer permit for A One Stop #4, located at 1410 Hwy. 51 NE, to sell packaged beer. Ward 3 Alderman Mary Wilson voted against the motion.

Ward 2 Alderman Terry Bates was not present for the board meeting. The next scheduled meeting will be Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lincoln County Government Complex board room.