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 April 24, 2025 Code Enforcement Committee Committee Members Present: Scott Kotowski, Fire Marshal; Thomas Hazel, Zoning and Blight Enforcement Officer; Nick Puorro, Middletown Police Department; Dean Lisitano, Building Official; Kevin Elak, Director of Health; Tanielle Davis, Public Health Manager; Rich DeMaio, Building Official; 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 March 27, 2025 and April 10, 2025 regular meeting. Motion to approve the minutes was made by Scott Kotowski and seconded by Nick Puorro. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Public Session. No public comment. 4. New Business. No new business. 5. Old Business. A. Mayor’s Office. Forbidden Llama: Police Department received a report from the liquor commission regarding the property citing three violations. 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: The Health Department received a complaint from several owners surrounding this property. Health will reach out to see if they have any information and pictures to substantiate the alleged  violations. Thomas Hazel reported that 455 Middlefield Street is currently under a ZBA appeal concerning illegal storage and junkyard operations, and he is working with the States Attorney’s Office to obtain compliance on 465 Middlefield Street. . 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 has not made any progress, and Land Use will work with the States Attorneys’ Office to obtain compliance. 3. 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. 530 Main Street has complied with the order. 346 Main is still working to achieve compliance. 4. 698 Washington Street (Smoke Plus). Violations remediated. No further action needed. 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: Contractors were sent to the property to remove the violations. Office of the General Counsel will place a lien on the property. No further action needed, 6. Adjournment. Motion to adjourn was made by Dean Lisitano and seconded by Nick Puorro. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned.