By Janine Davis Record Staff Writer Marthasville city leaders have reached an agreement with a local preservationist to proceed with the razing of a dilapidated barn in the city that has posed a potential safety hazard. David Boan will be demolishing the barn for free in exchange for reclaiming the wood and other materials for his own building hobbies. After earlier concerns about the city’s potential liability for personal injury over the course of the project, Boan said he would sign papers to waive any accident claims against the city. City officials and other leaders have voiced concerns in recent months that the barn — which skirts Rusche Park on city property — is in such disrepair that it presents a safety hazard. Earlier in the year, the Rev. Don Deeker, a member of the Rusche Park Committee, presented a recommendation for the project and has been coordinating with Boan on the prospect of demolishing the barn. But the deal was snagged over concerns about the city’s liability during the demolition. “Rev. Deeker came in today and reported that Mr. Boan is willing to sign a waiver of indemnity, as is the gentleman who intends to assist him.” Mayor Jason Schantz told city aldermen during the June monthly meeting. “I assured him we would prepare the paperwork very quickly.” Schantz said the city’s own insurance policy would not cover a non-employee or volunteer. The Rusche Park Committee earlier cleared the way for aldermen to review Boan’s proposal. The barn’s close proximity to the Grabs House across from the park was a pressing consideration as local Scouts have been working on an outdoor classroom and nature area near the site, which attracts more people. Deeker reported that over the years he has mentioned the demolition project to various people to see if they might be interested in the materials. Before Boan stepped forward to respond to Deeker’s query, no one else had followed up, he said. “For many years, before I got on the Rusche Park Board, I thought the old barn there was a real safety problem,” said Deeker. “The pillars in the back are leaning, and if it (the barn) was set up on higher ground, it would have been blown over a long time ago.”
Barn demolition to proceed
