[VitaBene]

From LaDaSun:

LACONIA — The city's code enforcement officer will ask the City Council for permission to order the demolition what's left of the Wide Open Saloon — a Weirs Beach landmark ravaged by fire last September.

Enforcement Officer Bill Stewart said Monday the statutory procedure for ordering the building's demolition begins with an order from the council. He said the owners have 20 days to either make demolition arrangements or petition against the order to Belknap County Superior Court.

Likewise, if the order is not challenged but still disobeyed, Stewart said the city would be forced into court.

"It is very unsafe and very dangerous," Stewart said, noting that the owners have surrounded the property with a fence.

According to City Manager Eileen Cabanel, city officials are especially concerned that the building will not be torn down before annual Motorcycle Week in June.

She said Fire Chief Ken Erickson has repeatedly made his concerns about safety of the building known and she gave the code enforcement officer the authority to contact the city attorney for directions to order its demolition.

His recommendations will be considered by the council on Monday night.