photo by: Shelley Hanson

Moundsville City Councilman Denny Hall, left, believes the city needs to take action regarding a North Highland Avenue home he describes as a nuisance. Also shown during a recent meeting is City Attorney Thomas White, right.

MOUNDSVILLE — A Highland Avenue house that has caused headaches for Moundsville residents in the past continues to be a nuisance, a City Council member said.

Moundsville Councilman Denny Hall inquired about issues involving a house on North Highland Avenue during the regular council meeting on Tuesday. The home has had issues regarding city codes and complaints from residents about suspicious activity on the property.

City Manager Rick Healy said the city has had issues with the house in the past and has looked into having it demolished.

“It’s not so much the property as it is the person who is living there,” Healy said. “The city doesn’t want to put someone out on the street, which is what would happen if we demolish that house. We’ve worked with her. We’ve gone through this multiple times. We’ve worked with her face to face. The city attorney has visited this house and met with them. We’ve talked to her … daughter who has tried to help.”

Healy noted the woman does not want to leave the house.

“But if council wants to evict her, then we will do it,” he said.

Hall believes drug dealers are using the house and noted he reported his suspicions to police Chief Tom Mitchell.

Councilman Randy Chamberlain inquired as to whether there were any local agencies that could help the woman.

“I think we’ve tried everything we know to try,” Healy said. “We’ve tried the (Family Resource Network) to help with housing paperwork for her. (Mitchell) went directly to the house and met with them.”

City Attorney Thomas White said, though he is not a building inspector, he believes the house is habitable.

“I was in the house and I think it’s habitable. I don’t think it’s subject to being razed or demolished,” White said. “That’s not my call, that’s the building inspector’s.”

Hall described the house as a nuisance. He believes it is “time for the city to take action” as neighbors have been putting up with issues surrounding the house for years.

“It’s time we put a stop to it,” he said.

Vice Mayor Sara Wood-Shaw said, however, that the city needs to be careful.

“It’s a slippery slope, kicking someone out of a private house that may be habitable,” she said.

No related action was taken by council during the meeting.