Durbin’s nearly-new Mahindra mower, purchased in June for $5,000, was damaged by railroad spikes, likely thrown into tall grass near the sewage lagoon by local vandals.

Mayor Donald Peck informed council at the meeting August 14 about the damage. He explained that the spikes are easily found near the Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad depot. Peck added that he has heard the spikes have also been placed on the railroad tracks in order to derail or damage the train.

The spikes, flung by the mower, may also be responsible for the death of a goose that lived at the lagoon. Peck did not disclose how badly the mower was damaged, nor how much repairs might cost.

Council discussed the issue and said action needs to be taken, but said it would be hard to find the culprit(s). Councilmembers appealed to town residents to report any information they may have on the vandalism.

In other updates:

• Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity CEO and Executive Director Michelle Connor and Special Project Manager Evan Zuvernik presented council with a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the use agreement for the bunkhouse between council and Habitat. Connor also reported that Habitat has purchased a plot of land and is working on demolishing the condemned buildings to prepare for a build.

Council thanked Connor and Zuvernik for the report and asked them to be put on the next agenda in order to make action on the MOU. Because Habitat was not on the August agenda, council could not take any action.

Durbin Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Town office.