MAYVILLE – While progress is being made on one dilapidated house in the village, another one continues to languish in the court.

During this week’s Mayville Village Board meeting one resident complimented Code Enforcement Officer Frank Watson for getting 83 Chautauqua St. cleaned up. The house is currently owned by a Texas bank and was suspected to have “squatters” there, with lots of trash and debris outside.

Mayor Rick Syper noted that both Watson and village Treasurer Jen Obert worked with the bank to get it improved, including getting the lawn cut and the trash removed.

With regards to 199 Sea Lion Drive, Watson expressed his frustration about the situation.

For years, the village has been arguing that the property is unstable and should be torn down. It was condemned in 2021. No one has been living in it.

In December, 2023, the village took legal action against the owner Ellen Shepherd of Warren. At that time they noted there were 16 violations of the state Property Maintenance Code and another five violations of the state Fire Code. Violations include unsafe structures, sanitation, weeds, rodent harborage, exterior and interior structures, foundation walls, doors, and more.

Shepherd attended the village board in February, requesting that she be given a building permit but was denied.

In June, the state Supreme Court issued a ruling that permitted the village to go and secure the property.

Syper said the village spent about $1,000 in plywood and boarded it up.

After the house was secured, Shepherd asked the court to reconsider its decision because she didn’t have legal representation, and was successful.

Shepherd had the plywood removed and according to Watson, it is once again unsafe. The plywood was not returned to the village.

He doesn’t want to see “squatters” move in the property, now that it’s not secure.

Syper said that would be dangerous because the floor inside is unsafe to walk on.

One neighbor said he saw wild life trying to get inside. “The squirrels, the rabbits, the raccoons, they’re settling in now,” he said.

Syper said the situation is frustrating. They don’t have a new court date yet.

Watson, too, expressed frustration. “I would like to see the court do its job. That’s my opinion,” he said.