Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23, 2013 5:30 p.m. Committee members present: Gary Schnip, Alderwoman Sofee Noblick, James Quarto, Richard Caron, Andrew Zeeman, Building Official Jim Troeger Committee members not present: VACANCY. Others present: Joe East; Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, Jr., Leland Loose, Adam Benson from The Bulletin, Djan Shi Wang and Yaling Chen of 248 Montauk Ave, New London (owners of 556 East Main Street), Wayne Cosentino of 231 Rogers Road, Norwich (owner of 17 W Town Street) 1. Call to Order: Gary Schnip called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. 2. Determination of a Quorum: It was determined that a quorum is present. 3. Acceptance of Minutes. Upon motion by Alderwoman Sofee Noblick, seconded by Andrew Zeeman, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes as amended. 4. Communications: None. 5. Blight updates/concerns: a. 556 East Main Street – Jim Troeger informs the owners that his main concern is the building behind the main mill. The roof is off and an area of wall has blown in. He would like a fence around the property and boarding between the 2 buildings to secure the area. The Committee asks what their intentions are and when they plan to implement them. Mr. Wang states that they want to make apartments or factory or storage. Currently they are opting towards commercial space as storage because the return on apartments would be minimal. They are undecided as of yet. Parking requirements would be an issue if they create living space. They also tried to see about buying a nearby lot to increase their parking abilities with no luck. As for the chimney, they spent $1,000 for a deposit with a contractor and he defaulted. They have not been able to reach him. They do plan to fence in the lot. They hope to do that soon and are searching for a different contractor. Sofee Noblick asks if they can put the doors or plywood back up. Mr. Wang replies that yes he plans to do that. He figures do to that within a few weeks. Jim Troeger tells them that the back building needs to be demolished. Mr. Wang replies that they are now trying to get the first building done but are not sure what direction to go with it. Mrs. Chen informs the board that they have also been looking for a business partner. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 01/23/2013 Minutes Page 2 Jim Troeger reminds them that this has been dragging on for too long; that they were invited to this meeting to get this done. Within six months the committee will want the back building down. Andrew Zeeman says that if the cost to refurbish is going to be too much, if they are going to demolish the building, they should do it now (ASAP). There is a school right next door and kids could be at risk because of the state of the property and building. Jim Troeger asks if there have been break-ins. Mr. Wang replies that yes there have been a little. Gary Schnip asks how long they have owned the property. Mr. Wang replies about 7 years. Jim Troeger requests they get it closed up along the sidewalk within 2 weeks. He also asks if they have been taking care of snow removal. Mr. Wang replies that yes they did shovel the sidewalks. He asks if they can have more than 2 weeks. Jim Troeger asks how much more time he is requesting. Mr. Wang replies that the end of February would be better. Andrew Zeeman asks if they can board it up within 2 weeks. By February 1. Mr. Wang replies that he is hoping to get it all done at once. Pay someone to come out and do it all in one trip. Sofee Noblick asks when they can be done with what the committee is asking for. Mr. Wang replies definitely by the end of February. **The Committee wants to revisit this at the February meeting. b. 17 West Town Street – Gary Schnip informs the owner that the committee is concerned about this property. He asks what the plan is and what his time frame is. Wayne replies that he started stripping the roof and found all the rafters cracked. There were 3 layers of asphalt shingles. One side is done and the other is up and coming. The chimney was cracked so he took it down. He plans to do the other side to get the weight off the rafters. Gary asks if there are historical requirements for the rebuild. Wayne replies that yes and the process is very tough. They want Marvin windows and special shingles. The project is stalled. Also there is no septic system. He does want the building weather tight and hopes that some day the City will run a sewer line in his area. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 01/23/2013 Minutes Page 3 Sofee asks if there is any chance to sell to an abutter. Wayne replies that there is a Church on one side. There is no one who would need it. It’s kind of a hardship. He had Jim Benjamin out about the City line but running down a State road is big money. There is no basement. He has tried to obtain bids for an above ground sewer system. It simply won’t work there. Gary suggests calling Uncas Health for ideas. Wayne replies there was septic. Some bad tenants were flushing duct tape. Roto Rooter was out and the third time they blew out the cesspool. The old septic was hand dug old stone. Gary reminds Wayne that no one can live there without a septic system. It’s best to call Uncas Health. They must be able to give ideas. Wayne replies that per Jim Benjamin a manhole by the Church, he may be able to cut the length of the run by going across their property, but it still may cost more than the property is worth. Andrew asks if he talked to his neighbor behind. Wayne says yes. He said still have to get it across the road. He is willing to let him run across his property. It is noted that the Committee doesn’t know who owns 21 W Town and that they have septic issues too. Jim Quarto knows someone in Montville who ran across a State street for about $8,000. Wayne spoke with Public Works. The asphalt is so think it could run about $30,000 to $40,000. Andy replies no way. Figure about $8,000 - $10,000, or a max of $20,000. Rich states that no sewer means no use of the property. Jim Quarto asks so no roof? Wayne replies it is half off. Jim Troeger believes that Malcolm didn’t see any historic value. Malcolm indicated he was not concerned with it. Wayne replies that last time he got a permit for the roof and chimney. Dick Sharp cut down many options. **Jim Troeger will double check with Malcolm about the historic value. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 01/23/2013 Minutes Page 4 Jim Troeger states that he was invited here because the Committee wants to see progress and need to know there is a plan and the time frame of that plan. Wayne replies that the weather has been making progress tough. To strengthen all the framing, rafters, roof, siding, lawn & shrubs. Most likely into the summer (chimney, roof). He has also repaired the windows. Jim Quarto asks how about the end of May. Wayne agrees that he can do that. The Committee wants to revisit this at the May meeting. They also want the lawn to be kept up. Andrew asks if there are fines being imposed. Jim Troeger replies he was being fined but they are holding them at the moment. c. 146 Wightman Avenue – Jim Troeger states that the fines as of today are $14,500. It is getting worse. Now there are 5 cars there. There’s a crane there. He thinks that Mike Driscoll of Corporation Counsel is needed. Andrew asks if the taxes are paid. Jim Troeger believes they are. **Jim Troeger is going to talk to Mike Driscoll to see what steps need to be taken to move towards foreclosing on this property. d. 105 Stonington Road (Garage) – Jim Troeger has spoken with the Management Company. Now another month has gone by. They’re going to re-submit the bids. Gary asks if there are fines being imposed. Jim Troeger states that not yet. He has sent them all the letters. They plan to demo it. It is bank owned. Ed Martin has the file. The fines are only a couple thousand. **Jim Troeger will update the fines. e. 27 Sherman Street – Jim Troeger sent Konstant Morell a letter informing him he needs to repair or demo in 30 days. Konstant has a guy interested in this property who is under deposit with corner property. Maybe he wants this one for parking. Gary states that the property is cleaned up soJ Jim Troeger states that the porch is falling in. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 01/23/2013 Minutes Page 5 Watch List: f. 24 Harland Place – Have done what was asked g. 5-7 Oak Street – Fire – Sent estimates to Council for fund appropriation. h. 77 Chestnut Street –Nothing will be known until spring. i. Mt. Pleasant Street – Jim Troeger will ask Ed. j. 492 N. Main Street – Referred to Ed Martin. Condemned one year. k. 33-35 Spaulding – They met with Chief Scandariato. There is no fire code. The soffits are bad. Got a commitment from the owner to fix. l. Lot behind Sturtevant – The gym left. The place is a mess. Will get George to do property maintenance. m. Prentice Street Shed – The owner agreed that the shed is coming down early spring. n. Asylum Street –The tarp is still on the roof. The owner was sent a letter. They can’t afford it right now. o. Baltic Street – The tarp is still there. Need the name and address of the owner. Gary Schnip motions to suspend the meeting until after the Reid and Hughes Planning and Development meeting and the Washington Street Sale Committee meeting. Rich Caron seconded and the motion passed unanimously and the meeting was suspended at 6:25 p.m. The meeting came back from suspension at 7:54 p.m. 6. Public Comments: None. 7. Other: Judgment Liens can attach other personal property; blight liens get first position but it’s not a strong enough lien. Andrew states that most local banks may care but the big ones won’t. Sofee states that if the bank forecloses the City gets paid if it has a priority lien. Also, a priority lien alerts the bank so maybe they’ll care. Gary Schnip states that with the blue tarp roofs we have some discretion to help some of them. Jim Troeger states that if it’s occupied we try to help them get done. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 01/23/2013 Minutes Page 6 Sofee Noblick states that the emails that went around, Mike Driscoll said we have the power to give some leeway. Joe East states that a roof is not really a public health problem Sofee Noblick states that per Mike Driscoll and Alan Bergren (City Manager) the concern is that if we instruct the owner to fix something but the taxes are not paid they shouldn’t be able to obtain a permit, but the City can decide to give a permit so the property isn’t an eyesore. Jim Troeger states the problem is when we tell one they have to fix (for instance a blue tarp roof) they point out all the other blue tarp roofs and feel singled out. Gary Schnip asks about 249 Broadway – did the roof cave in? Jim Troeger has been in contact with them. Ed gave them a time limit to fix it. They’re still negotiating with their insurance company. They’ve been given a little time to clean up the property, secure the building, etc. There will be fines starting soon. Gary Schnip asks what happens to their taxes. They still have to pay as much? Jim Troeger is unsure without an appeal. Gary asks about Capehart. Jim Troeger states the walls are collapsing. One did already. The left front wall is dangerous. It could fall on the train tracks and derail a chemical train which would destroy most of Norwich. Sofee Noblick brings up 105 Chestnut Street. The abutters are interested. May do an RFP. Also 9-9 ½ Fountain. Is a new committee needed? **Add to the agenda doing an RFP for 105 Chestnut and 9-9 ½ Fountain Street. 8. Next meeting – the next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, February 27, 2013. 9. Adjournment: Sofee Noblick motioned to adjourn, seconded by Jim Quarto, and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Averna