PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Commission approved the formation of the County Road Estates Road Maintenance Association along Mountain View Lane which is near Spider Ridge Road.

Attorney Rob Tebay is representing a number of homeowners. Because of that his father, Wood County Commissioner Robert Tebay, recused himself from taking any action on the matter.

Last month, a number of residents attended a hearing to discuss the matter before the commission. At the time, the homeowners had six of the eight property owners along the roadway agreeing to join in.

Different homeowners talked about the deteriorating state of the roadway and how residents have helped patch up the road from time to time, but something more substantial will have to be done to have a viable roadway well into the future.

Some estimates said the road work will cost over $100,000. The homeowners want to split that cost among everyone with property along the roadway in question.

The original developer, who still owns a lot in the area and who did not sign on to be part of the road maintenance association, claims he was exempt from any road maintenance responsibilities until 2030 as part of an original homeowners association agreement. His attorney had said the road maintenance association is a way to get around the original agreement and make his client pay sooner than he agreed to.

None of the original homeowners, under the original association, still live along the road and any agreements under that have not been followed through on in a long time, Tebay had said during the original hearing adding the county has the authority to do away with an inactive association and allow a new road maintenance association to be put in.

On Thursday, county officials said a road maintenance association was different from a homeowner’s association under the law. They could exist separately.

Commission President Blair Couch and Commissioner Jimmy Colombo voted for its approval.

In other business, the commission discussed an abandoned/dilapidated property located at 981 Borland Springs Road, Waverly.

Wood County Compliance Officer Sarah Robinson had received complaints about the condition of the property with trash and debris on the property as well as dilapidated structures. She and the county engineer inspected the property in November. The structures were condemned. Robinson contacted the owners to begin the process of cleaning up the property.

Nothing has been done since. Last week, she gave the owners 10 days to get things cleaned up.

Robinson visited the property earlier this week and it had been set on fire recently, adding there were still hot spots. The incident is under investigation by the Wood County Fire Investigation Team.

One of the structures on the property had not been touched and still had debris scattered around it.

The commissioners said they will bring the owners in for a hearing to determine what can be done. Officials said they can deed it to the property and the county can clean it up and put a lien on the property for when it sells, they can try and recoup their money.

The commission approved the appointment of Andrew Daniel to the Wood County Airport Authority.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com