City insists on removal of encroaching fence

Yet another appeal from Sisters resident Mollie Edwards to keep her picket fence up despite its encroachment on city right-of-way drew another “No” from the city council last week.

After several previous council discussions of the issue, the city administration sent Edwards a letter saying she must take the fence down by December 14. If she fails, the city will do the job itself.

At a regular council meeting Thursday night, City Manager Eileen Stein reported that Edwards was not able to attend the meeting but had asked Stein to relay a request to give her extra time because snow and cold weather have made the job more difficult. She said the ground under her fence is frozen.

That suggestion elicited little sympathy from the three councilors present, Mayor Dave Elliott and members Brad Boyd and Sharlene Weed. Elliott said the ground is not frozen and in any case Edwards has had plenty of time to comply with the city’s request.

Public Works Director Gary Frazee said he believes part of Edwards’ hope is to keep the fence in good enough shape to put back up again, presumably in a non-encroaching location. He said she needs the fence to keep her dog in her yard.

The fence in question runs along an alleyway at 507 E. Jefferson Ave. Edwards acknowledges that she was told by Frazee last summer not to put the fence where she planned because it would be in a city right-of-way.

The council recently adopted a “get-tough” policy in an attempt to prevent any new right-of-way infringements by structures. Existing encroachments will be allowed to stand until a problem arises, particularly anything involving public safety.