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 March 13, 2025 Code Enforcement Committee Committee Members Present: Scott Kotowski, Fire Marshal; James Mastroianni, Fire Marshal; Thomas Hazel, Zoning and Blight Enforcement Officer; Nick Puorro, Middletown Police Department; Dean Lisitano, Building Official; Tanielle Davis, Public Health Manager; Gary Gessaro, Fire Marshal; 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 9:01 a.m. 2. Approval of Minutes. Review and approval of minutes for the February 27, 2025 regular meeting. Motion to approve the minutes was made by Gary Gessaro and seconded by Scott Kotowski. Gary Gessaro stated that under section 5(B)(1) in the second sentence there was a typo whereby “465 Washington Street” should be changed to “465 Middlefield Street”. Motion, as amended, passed unanimously. 3. Public Session. No public comment. 4. New Business. No new business. 5. Old Business. A. Mayor’s Office. Forbidden Llama: Land Use Department is working with a representative from the liquor commission regarding the property. City Fire is communicating with the building’s architect regarding code violations pertaining to a 2nd means of egress. B. Land Use Department 1. 455 & 465 Middlefield Street: Thomas Hazel reported that 455 Middlefield Street is currently under a ZBA appeal concerning illegal storage and  junkyard operations. At 465 Washington Street, legal steps are underway to remove illegal residential units from the industrial building in conjunction with the States Attorney’s Office. 2. 52 North Main Street: Tom Hazel indicated that the property owner had previously received a citation for debris and a collapsed deck. The owner proposed plans to re-deck the foundation and agreed to install temporary fencing to deter trespassing. The city plans to monitor the situation to ensure these actions are completed. 3. 551 Washington Street: This property has been incorrectly referred to on the past several agendas. The properties in question are in stead 530 Main Street, 346 Main Street and 594 Main Street. Land Use Department had issued orders for the removal of steel roll-down gates that were installed without the necessary permits or approvals. These gates were intended to protect the storefronts but failed to comply with local regulations. The committee acknowledged that these violations required ongoing monitoring to ensure that the property owners followed through with the removal orders. 4. 698 Washington Street (Smoke Plus). Overgrown bushes and shrubs at the property. Land Use is issuing legal orders. C. Building Department 1. 699 Country Club Road: The owner is working with an architect to develop plans that meet residential use standards. Approval is pending a land use review. Owner has not responded to communications in months. Land Use will follow up with the States Attorney’s Office. D. Office of the General Counsel 1. 49 Hemlock Place: OGC issued a notice of abatement with a deadline to comply of March 14, 2025. Land Use will inspect on March 17, 2025 to determine whether the order was complied with. If not, the City will clean the property and lien the cost incurred. 6. Adjournment. Motion to adjourn was made by Dean Lisitano and seconded by Tanielle Davis. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned.