Eyesore in Greencastle is getting fixed up

Greencastle officials are happy that the property at 122 S. Carlisle St. is getting a facelift. Nicknamed “the pigeon house” in recent years, the home had fallen into disrepair. It was condemned and the borough stepped in to clean it up, said borough manager Susan Armstrong at the council meeting Nov. 3.

A lien of $11,278 was attached to the house, which had been the focus of borough attention since 2009. The house went to sheriff’s sale and was purchased by a Hagerstown woman, who intended to renovate it, continued Armstrong.

Council members Charles Eckstine, James Farley, Craig Myers, Matt Smith, Wade Burkholder, Larry Faight and Frank Webster Jr. approved a payment agreement to collect the money.

“She’s been working on it roughly nine months,” said Armstrong, “and is more than willing to enter an agreement or pay it off in full.”

Eckstine said, “We’re very fortunate to have someone buy the property. Everyone in the borough should be relieved.”

In other business, council agreed to donate $1,300 toward the Heritage Christmas tree for Center Square, at the request of the Chamber of Commerce.

Eckstine said that along with Antrim Township’s matching donation, the three entities made Greencastle look great for Christmas.

Farley and Smith were reappointed as representative and alternate to the Franklin County Area Tax Board for 2015. Next year’s FCATB budget, which Farley called “austere”, was also approved.