Havre city council hears complaints about junked cars

Too many people are keeping junked cars on their property in violation of city codes, and the city of Havre isn’t doing enough to stop it.

That was the opinion expressed by Val Murri, a Havre resident who spoke to City Council on Monday night.

Murri addressed council during the public comment part of the meeting.

He said cars with no engines that are clearly inoperable can be seen strewn across lawns, he said.

Especially when it is on main thoroughfares, this can present a poor image of the city, he said.

He said the police department must be aware of them, but nothing is done.

He pointed to a guest column written in the Havre Daily News by then-Chief Jerry Nystrom in 2011 detailing the contents of city codes and urging people to report violators.

Murri said Pacific Steel and Recycling will pay $30 a ton for scrap steel, though he admitted that people might have a hard time getting an inoperable car there.

Hill County Sanitarian Clay Vincent has a program whereby junked cars can be hauled away without charge, though Murri said that may take some time.

Mayor Tim Solomon said that if people call in complaints to the police department they will be acted on.

But, he said, the laws require that the junked cars be in public sight.

“That’s the key,” Solomon said.

Council member Terry Lilletvedt suggested that the mayor send an email to all city workers who are out in public — trash collectors, meter readers and department of public works employees — to keep an eye out for unsightly cars.

Council member Caleb Hutchins said he hoped the city would keep the public up to date what happens with junked car complaints