PANAMA — Village Board members at their most recent meeting heard several concerns regarding Wesleyan Street in Panama. Those concerns included dogs in yards, unregistered vehicles, garbage in front and back yards, and a specific incident of yelling and fighting in the middle of the street.

Residents living in one house are thought to number somewhere close to 16, though they are only tenants. There has been discussion with the owner of the house about removing the people currently living there. A question was brought up as to whether the Panama Village Board had any power to hold people accountable.

Some residents reported putting up security cameras.

“The situation on Wesleyan Street is very unfortunate,” Mayor William Schneider said. “We all have to deal with it in different ways because they do travel around the village and we’ve had some other complaints that I’ve taken care of. … There are other people besides yourself that don’t feel comfortable.”

Schneider said he had to discuss multiple issues with Sheriff James Quattrone, including the problems on Wesleyan Street.

“I’m hoping he can shed a little bit of light or I can shed a little bit of light for him that we’re not just people calling for frivolous calls,” Schneider said.

The village is doing what it can to help with the situation, Schneider said.

“We’re working as many different angles as we can,” he said. “That doesn’t mean this stuff is going to stop right away. The Health Department has been there, Child Protective Services has been there. We’re trying to put the heat on them.”

Schneider said they are working on getting a greater response from the Sheriff’s Department.

Village Trustee Kim Davis reported also getting calls with concerns from others on the street for kids who might want to ride their bikes and have to ride past the house. When it comes to other concerns about vehicles parked in the road by the house, Davis said the village cannot do anything about if the vehicle is registered and is not parked in a “no parking” zone.

“I’d love to say that we can help, but all we can do is apply pressure to the people who make those decisions,” Davis said.

In other news:

¯ following a public hearing, the board officially approved its fiscal 2023-24 budget.

¯ the new sign for Village Hall is being designed while the board is looking at options.

¯ the board also looked at potential veteran banners that Panama residents could purchase to honor family members who have served.