MAN — For some time dilapidated and abandoned buildings have been the topic of conversations in public between individuals and at public hearings across the county.

Now, some governmental agencies are stepping up trying to do something about the matter.

On June 8, the Town of Man had a first reading on its own dilapidated building ordinance.

"This is based on the one the county commission has," explained Man Mayor Jim Blevins. "They had their third reading on their ordinance today and we have had our first."

Last month the Logan County Commission met with Blevins and other representatives of Chapmanville, Man and West Logan about the problem of ramshackle structures. County Commission President Art Kirkendoll said over 200 structures have been identified as being problematic across the county, including abandoned businesses, coal camp houses and other structures, many of which have been burned out or are falling down and have become a safety and health hazard as well as eye sores.

The original county ordinance is four pages long and states that an enforcement agency would be set up consisting of an engineer, a county health officer, a fire chief and two at-large members. The County Sheriff will serve as an ex officio member charged with enforcing the ordinance. The agency will review and identify dilapidated and vacant structures as well as refuse, debris and seepage that pose a hazard to the community.

Owners will be identified and receive a written complaint. The enforcement agency may direct the county engineer to prepare a complaint listing and make recommendations for clean up. The landowner can request a hearing and review of the complaint which will determine if the structure is unfit for human habitation, is a fire or accident hazard, lacks ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, has accumulated debris, or is detrimental to public safety or welfare. The owner may be required to repair, alter, vacate, or demolish the structure or possibly face fines and penalties.

Man isn't the first municipality to adopt an ordinance about the matter, however. On April 14, the City of Logan had the first reading of their new building and fire code. Logan Fire Chief Scott Beckett explained how the code would give it the city the authority to enforce fire safety and appearance requirements.

"So you won't be able to leave trash on your property, or abandoned cars, or let your grass grow four feet high," Beckett said. "We spent three days in the fire code class with 25 other municipalities. You will no longer be able to leave old burnt out structures the way they are."

The town of West Logan also agreed to adopt an ordinance that would bring it into compliance with the County Commission's proposed dilapidated and abandoned building ordinance.

Man Town Clerk Mavis Toler said that so far the County Commission has not set a date yet for their county wide cleanup.

In other Man news:

• John Fisher with the West Virginia State Treasurer's Office spoke with council members about a voluntary pension plan, which would allow town employees to set aside as little as $10 per pay period for extra funding for their retirement.

Fisher said many counties and municipalities across the state have come on board the pension program and that he could meet with town employees to explain the pension plan to them. Fisher said the only things the town would have to do was pass a resolution and do payroll deductions for the voluntary program.

"It can be for full time or part time employees," Fisher said. "There is no age limit on employees, who can draw it out when they leave employment with the city."

Councilman John Fekete said he felt the pension plan was a good thing to offer town employees.