Code Enforcement Committee

City of Middletown OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL 245 deKoven Drive Middletown, CT 06457-1300 TEL: (860) 638-4820 FAX: (860) 638-1920 TDD: (860) 344-3521 Minutes Regular Meeting of September 28, 2023 Code Enforcement Committee Committee Members Present: Thomas Hazel, Zoning and Blight Enforcement Officer; Lieutenant Nick Puorro; Gary Gessaro, Fire Marshal; Tanielle Davis, Public Health Manager; James Mastroianni, Fire Marshal; Scott Kotowski, Deputy Fire Marshal; Chris Holder, Director of Public Works; Dean Lisitano, Rick DeMaio, Building Inspector; and Christopher Forte, Assistant General Counsel. Members of the Public: Erik Prezkopski. 1. Call to Order By Staff. AGC Forte called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. 2. Approval of Minutes. Review and approval of the minutes for the September 14, 2023 regular meeting. Motion to Approve made by Tanielle Davis, seconded by Thomas Hazel. Lieutenant Purro made a correction to the minutes stating that under Section 4(F)(1)(1) the amount seized was $107,000, not $1700. Motion passed unanimously at 9:02 am. 3. Public Session. None. 4. New Business. A. Mayor’s Office. 1. Update from the Mayor’s Office. No updates. B. Public Works. 1. Update from the Public Works Department. No updates. C. Health Department. 1. Update from the Health Department. No updates.  D. Department of Land Use. 1. Update from the Department of Land Use. No updates. E. Building Department. 1. Update from the Building Department. No updates. F. Police Department. 1. Update from the Police Department. No updates. 2. 58 Washington Street (Muncheiz): No further action required. G. City Fire. 1. Update from City Fire. No updates. H. South Fire District. 1. Update from the South Fire District. No updates. I. Westfield Fire District. 1. Update from the Westfield Fire District. No updates. J. Office of the General Counsel. 1. Update from the Office of the General Counsel. No updates. 5. Old Business. A. Mayor’s Office. 1. Forbidden Llama: No updates, will continue to monitor. B. Health Department 1. 455 & 465 Middlefield Street: Thomas Hazel stated that a Cease & Desist had been issued for at least one illegal residential units on the property. Owner has until later this month to comply. Police Department has had no calls for service since September 7, when a neighbor called and the PD detected a slight scent of paint fumes emanating from the property. Health Department received a complaint from a neighbor regarding an intake valve, and reached out to CT DEEP. CT DEEP stated that they do not get involved with installation of the spray booth, but recommended that exhaust stack goes straight up and be 6-8’ above the roof to reduce odors detected at ground level. City Fire confirmed that the picture was of an intake, not exhaust, pipe and confirmed that the exhaust is located on the top of the structure with a stack 6’ above the roof line as recommended by CT DEEP. Director Holden stated that we are in receipt of Safety Data Sheets filled out by the spray paint  business owner, and that he and the Director of Health will review with CT DEEP to determine whether any chemicals being used pose a threat to the safety of the neighbors. C. Department of Land Use 1. Bob’s Building. Developers actively trying to get crews back on site after delays over parking. Boarded and painted over vacant windows. Moving forward with demo and starting to build out. 2. 460 Main Street: Inspection was done with the Health and Building Departments. The owners started building without use approval, sign approval or building permits. It’s a smoke and vape shop but have items that contain THC. Owner has applied for special exception with the Planning and Zoning Commission. The next steps are cease and desist and fines on the signs. D. Building Department 1. 699 Country Club Road: No updates. E. Police Department 1. 58 Washington Street: No further action required. F. Fire Department 1. 139 Church Street: No further action required. G. Office of the General Counsel 1. Forest City Laundry. City has received permission to demolish the structure from the state, has hired a contractor, and is waiting on owner to fill out a cessation of utilities form. Will then demolish the structure and lien the property for the costs to the City. 2. 237 Spencer Drive. Received judgment from court, and will file blight liens at end of appeal period. 6. Adjournment. Motion to adjourn by James Mastroianni, seconded by Nick Puorro, and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:23 am.