By Richard Kerns
rkerns@newstribune.info
tribune staff writer

KEYSER — The city of Keyser is preparing to move against the owner of a burned-out house on South Mineral Street that neighbors allege was the source of a rat-infestation earlier this year.
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Mayor and City Council, Councilman Dave Sowers said the city gave Paula Piehl 90 days to either raze or repair the fire-damaged structure near the Moose Lodge on South Mineral/Route 220. That deadline passed on Oct. 7.
“We need to move on this property,” Sowers said.
The house in question was severely damaged in an April fire that left the rental property uninhabitable. In the weeks after the fire, nearby residents complained to the city about an infestation of rats in their homes. Residents and city officials alike said the rats were coming from the Piehl property.
At a City Council meeting in early summer, city officials seemed to reach a consensus agreement with Piehl, through her attorney, who indicated that she would look into repairing the building, but was leaning toward demolition. At that time, the city imposed a 90-day deadline for action on the matter.
Contacted at her Burlington home Wednesday, Piehl said she has retained a contractor, who advised that the building is structurally sound. Piehl said exterior damage to the building has been repaired, and landscaping work completed. Remaining work is now confined largely to interior repairs.
“The property is in excellent shape,” Piehl said. “There’s really nothing structurally wrong with it.”
Piehl said she wants to work with the city to address any outstanding
concerns, and has kept in touch regularly with Councilman William Rhodes. Rhodes, however, was not in attendance at the meeting.
With Mayor Glen “Bunk” Shumaker and City Attorney Cody Pancake also absent, the remaining council members tabled any further action on the Piehl property until the next council meeting, scheduled for Oct. 27 at 4:30 p.m.
In other business, the city council approved bids totaling about $4,700 for the purchase of city-owned surplus vehicles and equipment. Councilman Sowers had initiated the sale and reported bids of $110 for a 1996 Chevrolet Caprice, $1,551 for a Ford pickup, $40 for a salt spreader and $3,110 for a John Deere tractor.
A bucket truck received no bids and the council decided to sell the vehicle for scrap.
During public comment, Rosemary Ervin, a former Main Street resident who deeded her house to her children, asked the city to re-open a platted alley that connects the rear of her property to North Davis Street. Ervin said the alley is used as a parking area by other residents and even features a tree growing in the right of way, effectively blocking access to her children’s property.
“I would appreciate it if the city would make it an alley again,” she said. “It shows (on the plat) as an alley.”
City officials said they would investigate the matter and get back to her.
With the recent dry weather, concern has been expressed about the city’s water supply. Bill Friend, a member of the water board, reported that Dam 14 is down 4.5 feet, but supplies remain adequate. “We’re doing all right, water-wise,” he said.
 Finally, Sowers reported that work is complete on the Oak Street excavation and drainage project, which involved removal of contaminated backfill from a residence, and installation of drainage lines for a spring on the property.
In addition to the Oct. 27 City Council meeting, the Water Board, Sanitary Board and Recreation Board will meet Wednesday, Nov. 5 beginning at 3 p.m. in City Hall.