MECHANIC FALLS — The Town Council on Monday night issued a condemnation order for the building at 173 Lewiston St.

Town Manager John Hawley told the council that Code Enforcement Officer Nick Richard’s reinspection of the mobile home after the 30-day notice was given to owner Gary Kogut revealed the conditions had not improved.

“And in some instances, conditions have gotten worse,” Hawley said.

In September, Richard reported the building had no water, the interior plumbing was in disarray and there was no evidence the septic system worked. He concluded that the building was not habitable and gave Kogut until Oct. 1 to make improvements.

“It appears the owner is ready to wash his hands of it,” Hawley said, noting that the rental property’s occupant has been cooperative.

The town’s next step is to issue a seven-day notice to vacate, with demolition and removal of the mobile home from the property to follow.

In other business, Hawley gave councilors the results of a recently completed road surface management survey intended to assist in developing a program for maintaining town roads.

Heading the priority list, as identified by the survey, are Edwards Road, Riverside Drive and School Street.

Hawley noted that with the road bond paid off as of this year, the town can apply an extra $50,000 to an annual road paving program.

“Clearly, a paving program to adequately maintain town roads will need more than $50,000 a year, but if the vote to change the excise tax law passes, even this $50,000 won’t be available,” he said.

Hawley estimated the town would lose nearly $150,000 a year if the referendum on excise tax law passes.

On Hawley’s and police Chief Jeffrey Goss’ recommendations, the council accepted Rowe Ford of Auburn’s bid at $14,713.87 — after discounting for a trade in — to supply the town with a new four-door police truck. Goss estimates the final cost to the town, once the vehicle is outfitted for police work, at less than $21,500.

Bids were solicited from nine area dealers and Rowe Ford’s bid was the lowest of three bids received.

Hawley told the council that bids are currently sought from local loggers interested in harvesting wood from the property surrounding the town’s transfer station. Bids are due Oct. 21 and will be presented to the council at its Nov. 2 meeting.

Responding to comments from people who have noticed that yards around town seem to be accumulating more junk than they ever had before, the council pondered reinstituting some form of community spring cleanup. Unable to come up with a workable plan, the council decided to continue the discussion at another date.