THURSDAY, September 10, 2026|
Photo – Charka Apartments in Hanna – Bigfoot99 file photo
Hanna residents and elected officials are working together to improve the town’s appearance.
As reported by Toga Radio, several Hanna residents, at last month’s Town Council meeting, demanded the town take action on excessive trash and debris that was attracting pests and blowing into their yards. Mayor Charlie George pledged to address their concerns.
During Tuesday evening’s Hanna Town Council meeting, Marshal Dan Starr announced that he had begun notifying homeowners whose properties were in violation of the town’s nuisance ordinances. Marshal Starr said the residents were given ten days to submit a plan to correct the issue.
One of the residents who received a nuisance violation was present at the meeting. She said she had begun addressing the issue but had been unable to find help removing the debris, adding that no one in town had offered to assist her.
Mayor Charlie George said he instructed the marshals to issue a notice to every offending property in town. Mayor George said the owners will be given time to come up with a plan to correct the problem before they receive a fine.
Mayor George said a written plan will temporarily prevent the homeowner from being issued a citation, but work must begin to remove the debris. The mayor said he is sympathetic to residents who may have difficulty finding help. However, the violations still need to be resolved.
Addressing the homeowner, Mayor George said the notification had the intended effect of prompting her to submit a plan to the town to resolve the nuisance violation.
Councilwoman Ellen Freeman said she would help the homeowner hire workers to haul away large items. Residents called for volunteers instead. Mayor George supported the idea, saying those who can help should do so.
Residents asked if town employees could assist with the cleanup efforts. Mayor George said he was unwilling to place additional work on staff and reminded attendees that the town holds an annual spring cleaning event, where crews haul items to the dump for residents.
Continuing on the subject of beautifying the town, Marshal Dan Starr said he had contacted the owner of the former Charka Apartments on Front Street. The vacant building has been heavily vandalized, with broken windows and extensive graffiti. Marshal Starr said the owner will permit the town to secure the structure and, if he is unable to find a buyer, the building will eventually be torn down.
Marshal Starr said the owner will reimburse the town for the materials needed to board up the structure.
Later in the meeting, resident Michelle Stenseng requested permission to temporality use goats to clear weeds from her property. Stenseng said her yard is too overgrown with brush to simply mow, and the goats will help her avoid a nuisance violation.
Mayor Charlie George said many towns use goats to control weeds. He and the other members of the governing body expressed their support for the idea but said the goats must remain in the resident’s yard. Before granting Stenseng’s request, Mayor George said the town needed to draft a contract stating it is not liable if the animals get out. The mayor asked Stenseng to attend the October 13th Town Council meeting, where the matter would be considered again.
Mayor George said he is working to improve the town but cautioned that the process will be slow.
