LIBERTY — The Town of Liberty is working to demolish two unsafe structures that have long been eyesores and plagued surrounding properties.

Crews from NGS Construction LLC recently torn down a structure on Boyd Road in White Sulphur Springs. Another structure on the corner of Wade Road and Route 52 is slated for demolition within the next few weeks.

Keri-Ann Poley, confidential secretary for the Town Supervisor's Office, had recently secured two Remove Unsafe Structures (RUSt) program grants through the county to help cover the cost of tipping fees.

The program, which is administered through the The Sullivan County Division of Planning and Community Development, aims to clean up unsafe structures throughout the county's more populated areas and community gateways.

The Wade Road property grant is for $18,000 while the Boyd Road grant is for $12,000. According to Town of Liberty Supervisor Brian Rourke, the balance of the costs will be levied on the property owners' tax bills if they do not pay it voluntarily.

“We would have much preferred to have had the property owners take care of these issues themselves, however dialogue and other efforts to get their attention have been fruitless for far too long,” Rourke said

He explained that demolishing the Wade Road structure is of particular importance because of its highly visible location. “It is directly on Route. 52 and is one of the first glimpses of Liberty someone gets coming from the East and one of the last glimpses someone gets leaving the town coming west to east,” said Rourke.

“With these efforts and so many others that are underway, we're sending a message that the Town of Liberty is no longer going to sit back and tolerate unhealthy, unsafe and decrepit looking properties. It's an important step in rebuilding our community.”