POMEROY — Local business owner Mark Porter met with members of Pomeroy Council on Monday evening to discuss the old Pomeroy High School property.

Porter, who was previously awarded the property following a December 2011 bid, stated that he would go ahead and buy the property if council had the title to avoid any controversy.

Council and Mayor Mary McAngus told Porter that the property was currently being advertised for bids, and he could not just buy the property without going through the bidding process again.

Porter agreed to continue to lease the parking lot space on the west side of the building and the parking lot area on the back of the building at a rate of $300 per month until bids close on Nov. 9.

According to council conversations, the property is being advertised with a required 20 percent down payment.

On more than one occasion Porter noted that there was an issue with the title/deed. Porter said that he never received the deed to the property and stated that Village Solicitor Mick Barr had spent several months doing research to locate the deed.

Council member Phil Ohlinger said this was the first he had hear of any issue with the deed.

Members of council discussed the condition of the building, which has deteriorated since the building was vacated. While village workers have removed needed paperwork from the building, it was also noted that someone had removed portions of the electrical work, the mantle and other items from the building.

Porter stated that he had never allowed anyone to enter the building, instead referring all those who asked to the village. Village administrator Paul Hellman noted that he had not given anyone permission to remove items other than those specifically stated such as tax returns and important village paperwork.

The property, according to discussion, was transferred from Meigs Local School District to the Village of Pomeroy in 2011.

Fiscal officer/clerk Sonya Wolfe was to check with Barr concerning the deed to the property.

Council went into executive session at the beginning of the meeting to discuss the purchase or sale of property as recommended by McAngus.

Present at the meeting were council members Ruth Spaun, Dru Reed, Phil Ohlinger, and Vic Young, McAngus, Wolfe, Hellman, and Police Chief Mark Proffitt.