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 August 8, 2024 Code Enforcement Committee Committee Members Present: Dean Lisitano, Chief Building Official; Lieutenant Nick Puorro; Tanielle Davis, Public Health Manager; Marek Kozikowski, Director of Land Use; Gary Gessaro, Fire Marshal; Scott Kotowski, Fire Marshal; Kevin Elak, Director of Health; and Christopher Forte, Assistant General Counsel. Members of the Public: None. 1. Call to Order By Staff. AGC Forte called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. 2. Approval of Minutes. Review and approval of the minutes for the July 11, 2024 regular meeting. Motion to approve the minutes was made by Gary Gessaro and seconded by Scott Kotowski. Motion passed unanimously at 9:03 am. 3. Public Session. No public comment. 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. Reports of Fire breather at new restaurant Mia. Fire Department will investigate to determine whether any violations exist.  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. Owner of 237 Spencer Street has been arrested in Massachusetts, and has outstanding warrants in Connecticut. 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. Absent. 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: a. Land Use: Inspected the building with Building and City Fire. Found that the illegal apartments on the 3rd floor had been removed, and violations on the second floor removed. Next steps are to obtain architectural drawings and site plan approval 3rd floor improvements. b. Building Department: Awaiting an architectural plan for 2nd and 3rd floor, for fire escape ratings, and emergency exits. Next steps are for the owner to obtain a building permit and certificate of occupancy for the 2nd and 3rd floor. c. Fire Department. Awaiting a plan for the 2nd and 3rd floor. Will work together with Land Use and Building. Reports of illegal apartments on the third floor, illegal improvements to second floor space, and illegal operation of the restaurant as a nightclub.  B. Land Use Department 1. 455 & 465 Middlefield Street: On 455 Middlefield a Notice of Violations has been issued for the storage of motor vehicles in one of the two back pens on the property in violation of the Stipulated Agreement between the City and the owner. Zoning & Blight Enforcement Officer met with owner in the field to discuss violations, and directed attorney to contact the Office of the General Counsel. On 465, awaiting removal of all 4 residential units. On 465 Rear, the building has been vacated since the condemnation by the Building Department. Will continue to monitor. 2. 52 North Main Street: 1. Land Use: Observing the property and performing inspections prior to issuing violations, notes of people trespassing. 2. Fire Department: Received multiple calls from smoke alarms, and violations of City ordinance for False Alarms. As a result, further calls will result in fines to the owner. 3. Building Department: Received a complaint, will follow up and inspect. 4. Police Department: No new issues. 3. 10 Durwin Street. The property is owned by a fiduciary and is in probate. Land Use found the contact information and will issue a notice of violation giving them 30 days to comply. The property has been brought into compliance, no further action needed. C. Building Department 1. 699 Country Club Road: Dean Lisitano has been working with the state building inspector and state’s attorney Donna Parker to get a search warrant to see if they need a permit for the shed, and is waiting to hear back from the state on possible enforcement mechanisms. D. Office of the General Counsel 1. Forest City Laundry. AGC Forte working with Director Marques to complete an environmental report prior to obtaining title to the property. Will set up a meeting with the Mayor’s office in the coming weeks to discuss. 6. Adjournment. Motion to adjourn by Dean Lisitano, seconded by Nick Puorro, and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 am.