Boardman Township officials have pledged to help property owners deal with two, six-plex apartment buildings that have fallen into a state of disrepair on Oles Ave.
      However, in attempting to provide assistance, residents of that neighborhood were told last week of a unique situation involving the properties---the property owner, identified as Dorothea Wydick---has health problems, including dementia and she is unable to make decisions regarding the properties, located at 1893 and 1897 Oles Ave.
      1893 Oles Ave. is $17,404 delinquent in property tax payments; and 1897 Oles Ave. is $17,548 delinquent in property tax payments, according to the Mahoning County Auditor’s Office.
      Oles Ave. residents attend last week meeting of the Boardman Board of Trustees to voice their concerns about the deteriorating conditions of the properties.
      “The property owner appears to have abandoned the buildings,” Boardman Fire Prevention Officer, Lt. Tom Donadee said, adding “she is unable to make decisions and we want to make sure we follow the proper process.”
      Donadee indicated if the landlord cannot make corrections, “the structures will be taken down, or possibly sold at a sheriff’s sale.”
      Donadee indicated the apartment building at 1893 Oles Ave. (where one person lives) does not have water service.
      Beth Duzzny, assistant director of planning/zoning said the last communication with the property owner was “two years ago.”
      Wydick also owns a single family residence at 7619 Red Fox Dr. in Boardman, and that property is $9837 delinquent in payment of property taxes.
      On June 13, the property at 1893 Oles Ave. was inspected by the Boardman Fire Department.
      A report on the inspection, completed by Fire Prevention Officer James Yocum, concludes “We have been out to this property numerous times since Sept. 2021. The building owner has not responded to anything we have sent. We have had no luck in contacting her in anyway, we have had MCSD do a welfare check with no luck.
      “This property is in poor condition with numerous violations and safety concerns. Just a few violations to mention...Electrical Ohio Fire Code 605.1, 605.5, and 605.6. OFC 906 Fire extinguishers, Smoke detectors 907.2.11.2, Housekeeping 508.1.5, C.O. detectors section 1103.9 administrative code 1201-7-7-09 section 915, and Penetrations IFC. 703.1.
      “There are also health concerns due to no running water and animal feces and mold in this structure. Firefighter safety concerns in the event of a structure fire, numerous penetrations throughout the structure, open windows and debris which will assist in fast fire spread.”