Several residents of Tamaqua’s Owl Creek section expressed concerns about a dilapidated property they say has been under repair for more than a year.

Christopher Anderson told borough council during its Tuesday meeting that the 226 Owl Creek Road structure is a safety hazard.

“Someone is going to get hurt,” he said.

There are open ditches on the property, concrete around the home is cracking and there are no bathroom facilities, he said. Despite the condition, he’s spotted people inside and outside the home.

“We’ve seen children throwing items into the dumpsters that are there with no supervision,” Anderson said.

Anderson said it’s not the first time he’s aired his complaints. He’s called the borough, police and the borough code enforcement officer. He noted that the home, which he said is owned by a Allentown construction business, has been “ticketed” a number of times by code enforcement.

“The rest of us there keep our houses neat and tidy and for the most part we have no issues out there. But this house has consistently thumbed their noses up at us,” he claimed. “We’re just afraid that something is going to happen.”

Schuylkill County records note that the property was purchased in 2020 by Juan Martinez, whose address is listed as 226 Owl Creek Road.

Anderson’s wife, Gina, said that she has seen people from a construction firm urinating in the woods, and is worried that a nearby creek will become contaminated.

Another Owl Creek resident, Joe Salla, said he’s spotted electrical wires dangling inside windows. The home is not connected to the sewer main, Salla claimed.

Council President Brian Connely said the owner has been cited numerous times.

“It is working through the system. There’s a process you have to follow as far as citing individuals. We have this, unfortunately, all over the town and we have issues before the magistrate,” Connely said.

As far as concerns about people being inside the home, Connely said it could be considered trespassing.

“The permits are only for work being done. That doesn’t allow anybody into the house other than those working there,” he said. “If there is trespassing going on, the police department needs to know that.”

Connely said council will discuss the residents’ concerns with the code enforcement department.

“Unfortunately, it’s just part of society. There are probably a dozen houses in Tamaqua we’re dealing with, too,” he said.

In a related matter, council approved two Eagle Scout projects aimed at sprucing up Owl Creek’s lower reservoir.

Ethan Risteter, a member of Boy Scout Troop 777 of Tamaqua, plans to build and add benches to the Boy Scout “camp” there. He also plans to replace a campfire pit, and noted that the Owl Creek Reservoir Commission has approved his project’s scope.

Risteter estimates that it will cost about $600 for materials - a price that will likely rise due to inflation. Council agreed to waive the fees for any construction permits.

Alex Steigerwalt, also of Troop 777, penned a letter regarding his Eagle Scout project goal to revamp an on-site cabin. He will repair the structure, upgrade the electrical service, rebuild a fire pit and complete other general maintenance. Council waived all construction permit fees for his project, which will get underway this spring.