Rockingham approves demolitions, online surplus auction

ROCKINGHAM — Two vacant homes will be coming down following the adoption of a pair of demolition ordinances by the city council on Tuesday.

City leaders unanimously gave the go-ahead to tear down houses located at 615 and 617 Rockingham Road.

Assistant City Manager John Massey told council members that proceedings against the two properties began in November.

The properties, Massey said, are owned by the same family and are part of the Mattie C. Thomas estate.

The city had contact with some of the owners, who had interest in selling the properties, according to Massey. There was a willing buyer, but not all of the heirs could agree, he added.

Massey said he’s delayed having the ordinances on the agenda “in the hopes that they would work out something and the city would not have to tear these properties down, but it looks like we’re having to do so now.”

Photos included in the agenda packet show both homes in a severe state of disrepair.

According to Massey, both houses are unsecure and have had vagrants in and out.

The council approved a separate ordinance for each property.

Following that action, the council approved a grant project ordinance adopting a special revenue fund to track the $200,000 the city received from the state.

City Manager Monty Crump said the funding would be used to make improvements at Browder Park, including to the field house and for handicapped accessibility.

SURPLUS AUCTION

The council also authorized City Manager Monty Crump to dispose of surplus city property with Iron Horse Auction Company.

The online auction is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Oct. 2 and end at 2 p.m. Oct. 9. All property is located at Rockingham Public Works, 800 Rockingham Road.

Items going up for auction include:

• 2006 Ford Crown Victoria
• 2013 Dodge Charger
• 2014 Dodge Charger
• 2016 Dodge Charger
• 2012 Chevrolet Caprice
• 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
• 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
• 2005 GMC Sierra 3500 crew cab
• 1998 Ford Explorer (no title)
• 1989 fire truck
• John Deere 757 tractor
• Air compressor
• Several generators

The surplus list also includes garbage and leaf trucks, mowers and other equipment.