Rails Inn caretakers come to agreement

Sheila Forshee, the realtor who was in charge of the Rails Inn, and the owners of the Rails Inn, Jim and Sharon Dewitt, came to an agreement at their hearing Wednesday as to what to do about the late payments of rent and utilities of the building.

April 27, tenants found notes on their doors that informed them that since rent and insurance had not been paid on the building, they had 72 hours to vacate.

While that was canceled, tenants were told Wednesday they now have 30 days to vacate. As of last week, about 35 tenants were living in the building.

Forshee was leasing the building at the time DeWitt acted. As of the Wednesday hearing, rent of the building was removed from under Forshee’s name and given to the Dewitts. All utilities will remain under Forshee’s name and the Dewitts are not liable for any nonpayments.

The Dewitts’ attorney agreed to withdraw all motions against Forshee under the agreement. No compensation will be owed from Forshee.

Judge Dan Boucher informed Dewitt that if they plan to evict anyone in the complex, they must give them 30-days notice.

Last week, Sharon Dewitt told a Havre Daily News reporter that she felt bad for the tenants they had to evict, but Forshee’s actions left her and her husband no choice.

After Dewitts closed the motel last fall, Forshee approached them about making the building into federally subsidized housing.