Borough cleaning up dilapidated properties

Franklin — The borough has begun a cleanup at two buildings on Route 23 considered a public nuisance and health hazard. One, a former ski shop and a former gas station, and one a house, are side by side on a lot across from the Hooters restaurant. According to Mayor Paul Crowley, the borough is trying to establish through court searches who owns the properties. The current owner on the tax rolls claims he sold the property but doesn’t know the identify of the new owner. Franklin has put a lien on the deed. “We’re trying to ascertain if somebody’s responsible; trying to grab a name,” said Crowley. The properties are located in a commercial zone and are in a state of severe disrepair. The roof over the front porch of the house has collapsed and there is a lot of debris on the property. “The project is to clean it up now and maybe to take it down. We’re not rushing into that because it’s very costly,” Crowley said. There is speculation that because the property was formerly home to a gas station, a more serious cleanup may be required.