As a proxy city commission of Elks Youth Day weighed the future of a late elderly woman's home Tuesday which was destroyed by fire, they also heard a neighbor of that home air safety concerns about tearing the structure down.

The matter came before the graduating Williston High School seniors as they participated in the 47th Annual Elk's Youth Day.

In the activity the young adults learn hands-on about the operations of government. Those elected or assigned to city officials shadowed the real government officials. At Tuesday's meeting they either ran the city meeting or had to speak on behalf of their mentors.

Ultimately, the young board followed the advice of the real city commissioners and voted to enter into probate over Harriette Weisgerber's home at 803 First Ave. W. Weisgerber initially was rescued by neighbors and a cab driver from the home that was ablaze on March 8. She died nearly two weeks later in a Minot hospital.

Since then, city officials and her power of attorney Randy Keehn have been unable to locate any immediate relatives. The board has instructed City Attorney Pete Furuseth

to work on the proper legal procedure to allow the city to tear down the burned building.

Yet, concerned neighbor Kim Sanford said she has been warned dismantling the structure could damage her home or send debris onto one of the members of her family or children who play on her property.

The city commission Tuesday agreed to pay for the probate, and the personal representative will be Keehn.

Once the house is demolished, the city plans to sell the lot to cover legal fees and cleanup costs.

Before the final vote was taken, Sanford aired her concerns. She lives on 805 First Ave. W., about six to eight feet from the Weisgerber home.

"When the house burned down, we had over $30,000 in damage on our home. My daughter has asthma. We had to live in a hotel for two weeks after the fire. The woman who was killed had no insurance," Sanford said. "Last week, I had (a man) come to my home who takes down homes in this area. A neighbor had asked him to do an estimate on what it would cost to tear down the house because he is interested in buying the lot. He was concerned about the chimney from the burned house did not look secure. He was concerned it could fall into my backyard or on top of my home. At that point, I got really upset. I've got a 7-year-old girl that plays in my backyard, and nobody informs me that the chimney is unstable."

She said nobody has contacted her since the fire about anything pertaining to the demolition of the home or its status.

She said the professional man said he was going to turn this demolition job down because he was worried if he began taking it down, it could possibly fall on top of her house.

Sanford said she had previously spoken to Building Official Doug Lalim about debris hanging from the house.

"When I spoke to Doug, I asked if he knew when they were going to be taking it down. He told me they were going to have a meeting, and it could possibly be by the end of May. I asked him, 'will you be notifying me when the home will taken down.' He said, 'well, I'm sure you will hear it.' That upset me," Sanford said.

According to Sanford, she was told her family should have at least 24 hours notice to be out of their home.

"I am concerned for my family's safety and my home, which has just had $30,000 in work my insurance had to pay," Sanford said.

Sanford repeated her family would like to be notified when the dismantling will occur.

"We will deal with it," assured Williston City Commission President Ward Koeser. "We're in a unique situation as well. I can commit that we will work with you."

She asked someone assess the chimney until it is torn down.

"We will certainly keep you informed about what actions we take," Koeser said.

City Attorney Pete Furuseth said the probate process would take a few weeks.

Williston Public Works Director Monte Meiers said she would have ample notice if the city was involved in demolishing it.

Koeser asked Meiers, Fire Chief Alan Hanson and Building Official Doug Lalim to assess the burned house to see if there are immediate dangers to the nearby property.

Finance Commissioner Brad Bekkedahl said he was sorry the demolisher put her in a panic.

"I also think it's unfortunate we lost a life, we lost a house. It's impacted you; it's impacted the city," Bekkedahl said. "We will take care of it. I cannot imagine that the city will not take this serious enough to make sure you are held harmless. We just have to do this right."

He said the board will make sure she is taken care of.

Serving as mayor for Koeser during Elk's Youth Day was Stuart Nygard. Garrett Stoner was water commissioner for a day for Brent Bogar. Cherisse Parker worked as police and fire commissioner for Jim Lawson. Bailey Bolinske functioned as finance commissioner, and Cameron McFarlin was street commissioner for Frank Underhill.

Other students participating include Megan Altizer as city auditor, Allison Bjornson, doubling as both city planner and economic development director, Katie Blomberg as fire chief, Marisa Meyer-Klubben as police chief, Kilee Sundt as airport director, and Kaitlin Ring as city attorney.

At the meeting's conclusion, the real board members voted to accept actions taken by their counterparts.