By Terry Karkos,Staff Writer

MEXICO – Selectmen at Wednesday night’s meeting voted unanimously to begin the process to condemn two properties and proceed with removal.

One on Roxbury Road, also known as Route 17, was deemed unsafe; the other, on Carlton Avenue, seemingly abandoned.

Town Manager John Madigan said that he and Code Enforcement Officer David Errington looked at the first property at 171 Roxbury Road, which has the old Waleik Store and a large unsightly house.

“The foundation and roof (of the store) are caving in, so it’s certainly dangerous in my estimation,” Madigan said.

He explained the procedure to condemn a building, demolish and remove it, and recover expenses, then read the state statute on dangerous buildings.

“It could take two to three years, if no one cooperates,” Madigan said of the process.

But a daughter representing the owner said they would cooperate, adding that they’ve been unsuccessful until now in trying to get the town to start the process.

The first step, Madigan said, is to convene a public hearing with the property owner or representative to decide what could or should be done.

Fire Chief Gary Wentzell shared a brief history of the situation, then, said, “The building is way too far gone. It’s an eyesore and a major safety hazard.”

He said that part of the store building’s siding is asbestos, which would have to be removed before any demolition.

When asked by a resident if selectmen would be going after other unsightly or old buildings, Wentzell said no.

“The town is not in the habit of doing this. It’s only closed one or two since I’ve been here. If we were to go after unsightly buildings, we’d have to close half this town down,” Wentzell said.

He said the store’s condition “has gone on for 15 to 20 years; the other one (on Carlton Avenue), since 1987.”

Selectmen voted 4-0 to condemn the old store and, by the same vote, agreed to notify the owner or representatives by certified mail to attend a public hearing on the matter.

Regarding the building on Carlton Avenue, Madigan said, “Structurally, the building is fine, but it’s full of junk that’s piled halfway up the rooms in the entire building. It’s abandoned, in my mind,” he said.

“There are still Rice Krispies on the shelf, and they’ve been there since 1987,” Madigan added.

He suggested selectmen consider it a nuisance and deal with it as such, under state statute.

“If that place caught fire, we’re not putting people in that building,” Madigan said.

Selectmen again unanimously voted to begin the condemnation process and to notify the owner or owners to attend a public hearing.