This week’s featured question reads:
“It was a true blessing to hear the home building program is coming back to the high school! I am curious about something though and that is how will vacant lots be chosen to place the homes? Will there be hearings held like they have now? Will neighbors be given a chance to have input or will it be decided only be officials? Thank you so much to everyone who helped bring this back. Many of our friends and family members have very fond memories of taking part part in the home building courses. Bless you all!”
Due to the joint partnership of the City of Merrill and MAHA, with the Blue Jay Build Team Program, both City Administrator Dave Johnson and MAHA Director Paul Russell weighed in to answer this week’s featured question
Response from Johnson:
“While no policy has been set since City involvement in this program is new, I would foresee the Housing Authority being provided with a list of available lots and they would choose the one that best meets their needs.”
Response from Russell:
“The first lot used this year will be one the MAHA owns next to one of our family housing projects on the westside. The reason for this is those residents
and children do not have a severe weather shelter, there are no basements in their existing units. So, we will build a sub-surface foundation with exterior access so those families have shelter.
“One of the priority selection criteria of the city lots will be based on locations near our other facilities. This will allow efficiency for our maintenance staff and their work schedules. We have planning time to develop additional criteria for this program and hope to make it grow every year ! All of the code, policy and regulations that are required of citizens or property owners now will be followed by the MAHA. Thank you for the question…”
Have a question or concern you would like to address? Simply send your question or concern to [email protected] along with an indication of which entity your question or concern pertains to. Current participants are the Merrill Police Department, Merrill Fire Department, Tomahawk Police Department, Lincoln County Administrative Coordinator Randy Scholz, Merrill City Administrator Dave Johnson and Merrill Area Housing Authority Director Paul Russell.Please note: Those who submit to the ‘Ask an Official’ feature remain anonymous.