Caledonia Argus

City pleased with progress of property clean-up; extends deadline for creamery

Posted: 8/5/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

The city council has given its stamp of approval to a clean-up effort at 815 East Main Street.

Russell Besse, owner of the property, attended the July 28 meeting of the city council to get membersí reactions to the clean-up. At a meeting two weeksí earlier, Besse and two of his sons asked the council for 10 days to clean up the property. Besse had received notice that he had to remove junk from the property or face the possibility of fines or of the city cleaning up the property and billing him for the cost.

Mayor Robert Burns commented, ìI think the clean-up has been done exceptionally well.î He said he thinks the items remaining are acceptable since they are there for reuse or for Besseís own use.

In regard to property owned by Mike Rogich of Caledonia, the council agreed to extend his deadline for complete clean-up to November 10. Although an effort is underway at that site, there are three trailers that Rogich said are to be burned by the Caledonia Fire Department for training.

Reprieve for old creamery

The city council also addressed the former creamery property on Old Highway Drive owned by Jeff and Pat Sheehan. A letter sent to the Sheehans June 25 warned that if the building was not razed or removed by July 27, the city wold take action to have the building removed and bill them.

Jeff Sheehan attended the council meeting to discuss his plans for the property.

Sheehan told the council that his intention was always to save the building, but has not had the means to renovate it. He said he understood the safety concerns, and will board the windows so that no one can enter. He said he also plans to replace the present roof with a tin roof this year.

ìThe creamery has been discussed for a long time,î said Mayor Burns. ìI am not opposed to giving him more time.î

Sheehan responded, ìAs long as itís not an eyesore and safe, it shouldnít matter if it stays like that for 10 years.î

The council moved to give November 1 as the deadline to have the building boarded up, and November 10 for the completion of the re-roofing. The vote was 3-1 with Mayor Burns, and councilmen Paul Fisch and Mark Schiltz voting in favor and council member Randi Vick opposed. Councilman John Klug was not present for that vote.

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