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 October 12, 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 (arrived 9:05 a.m.); Scott Kotowski, Deputy Fire Marshal; Chris Holder, Director of Public Works; Dean Lisitano, Chief Building Official; Kevin Elak, Director of Health; Bobbye Knoll Peterson, Chief of Staff (arrived 9:05); and Christopher Forte, Assistant General Counsel. Members of the Public: Ed McKeon. 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 28, 2023 regular meeting. Motion to Approve made by Dean Lisitano, seconded by Tanielle Davis. Motion passed unanimously. 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. 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: Director Elak explained that he reached out to CT DEEP regarding the intake/exhaust vent and the permissible limits of VOC’s used in a year required to trigger state air quality regulations. First, City Fire and the Building Department confirmed the silver vent near street level is the intake vent. There is an exhaust stack located on the roof in the back of the building. CT DEEP stated that having the stack be vertical on the roof will help eliminate odors at ground level. Second, CT DEEP stated that in excess of 1500 gallons of product that contains VOC’s prior to state regulations governing their use. CT DEEP stated that the business located on the premises uses 600-700 gallons per year, so no regulation is required. The owner of the business is required to log how much product they use for CT DEEP’s inspections. The owner of the business currently does not have an approved fire  suppression system. As a result, they do not have the permits required to operate the spray booth. The Police Department responded to a complaint, and a report will be shared when it is completed. Councilman McKeon stated that he received a few updates in the past two weeks: (1) that the back building on 465 Middlefield had been condemned, (2) that residential units were found in the front building on 465 Middlefield, (3) that spray painting was occurring in the front building of 465 Middlefield, and (4) that woodchips had been located adjacent to the river. AGC Forte indicated that the rear building on 465 Middlefield had been condemned by the Building Department and that decision is being appealed by the property owner. AGC Forte also stated that a Cease and Desist had been issued for the front building on 465 Middlefield Street because residential units were found in the building. Fire, Building, Health and Zoning will conduct follow up inspections on the property prior to the next meeting regarding the new complaints raised by Councilman McKeon. C. Department of Land Use 1. Bob’s Building. No updates. 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. A site plan has been submitted for review by the Planning and Zoning Commission. D. Building Department 1. 699 Country Club Road: AGC Forte is going to get ahold of the local state attorney to see what the next steps are as to getting on the property. E. Office of the General Counsel 1. Forest City Laundry. Awaiting demolition of the building. 2. 237 Spencer Drive. A blight lien will be filed against the property to perfect the City’s judgment in the next two weeks. 6. Adjournment. Motion to adjourn by Dean Lisitano, seconded by James Mastroianni, and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:24 am.