PARIS – Selectmen have opted to table the question of condemning a former restaurant in order to speak with the building’s owner.

Town Manager Sharon Jackson said she sometimes receives calls about what will be done with the former Minnie’s Restaurant building at 27 Market Square. The building, next to the town office, was declared a total loss in an early-morning fire on Feb. 12, 2007.

“The condition of the building has been deemed a safety and health issue,” Jackson told the board.

The building is owned by Ralph Stone. Jackson said Stone has obtained a building permit and he and another individual are attempting to remove the roof of the building. Jackson said Stone fell and broke his hip during repair efforts.

Stone suffered burns in last year’s fire after a space heater started the blaze in a second-floor apartment where he was living.

Jackson said the building was uninsured. She said Stone was delinquent on his taxes then but is now current. There is no electricity or plumbing in the building, and Jackson said she is not sure if Stone is staying there.

Selectman Lloyd “Skip” Herrick motioned to have the building razed after due notice to Stone and the proper legal process for condemning the building.

Selectman Gerald Kilgore asked that the issue be tabled until the board’s next meeting on July 28, and other selectmen agreed. Kilgore said he wanted to see if Stone will accept assistance in repairing the building, and that the town will have to take action if he doesn’t.

Herrick said he was approached by two taxpayers since being elected in June who were concerned that children might explore the building. He said the building should be approved by the code enforcement officer after any repairs.

“I understand the issue of his being in the town a long time,” said Herrick. “But at some point in time we have to say we’ve done everything we can. And it boils down to the safety of the public.”

“It’s come to the point where he needs to accept the help or he’s going to lose it all,” said chairman Raymond Glover.