Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES Wednesday, March 25, 2015 6:00 PM Committee members present: Gary Schnip, Richard Caron, Sr., Alderwoman Sofee Noblick, James Quarto, James Heist Committee members absent: Joseph East, H. Tucker Braddock Others Present: James Troeger: Building Official and Gary Evans Citizens Present: None 1. Call to Order: Gary Schnip called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. Determination of a Quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present. 3. Acceptance of Minutes of February 18, 2015: On a motion by Jim Heist, seconded by Sofee Noblick, the minutes of February 18, 2015 were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Communications: Gary Schnip received two from City Hall. One was a copy of the letter to Jim Heist that he was appointed. The second was to Joe East that he had been reappointed. 5. Blight updates/concerns: a. 11 Lake Street (fire damaged): James Troeger noted the City does not own it. He has left messages. It is still in foreclosure by the City. The City will own it relatively soon. b. 46 School Street (fire damage): James Troeger spoke with owner Marguerite Payne’s son who says insurance has not settled. It should be settled soon and will they will continue with their plan for demolition. c. 167 Broadway Barn: James Troeger spoke with the owner. Once the snow is off, she will continue with clean-up. d. 556 East Main Street: James Troeger tried both phone numbers for the owner but they are out of service. Tianne Curtis, Zoning Enforcement Officer, has not heard from him, either. e. 218 Washington Street: James Troeger talked with Attorney Michael Driscoll. The house is still in foreclosure with Chelsea Groton Bank. The City’s fines are now over $30,000. Attorney Driscoll indicated that following through with the amount of fines  would complicate ownership. The owner has walked away from the property. There is interest in the property. Watch List: a. 16 Fountain Street: James Troeger noted the building has been cleaned out but no progress since snow. b. 195 Broad Street: James Troeger reported that ownership has changed to a different bank. Richard Caron, Sr. reported that items, including furniture and cabinets, have been removed from the house. The property still has potential. c. 241 Broadway: James Troeger reported that owner Richard Hamar says the roof cannot be repaired due to the snow. Richard was unable to attend this meeting and had no progress to report. d. Hale Mill, Yantic: James Troeger reported on a conversation he had with Tianne Curtis, Zoning Enforcement Officer. She noted that the City cannot do anything through the Zoning regulations since the offending materials is in the yard. e. 34 Lake Street Garage (City owned): Alderwoman Noblick noted that Realtor Fred Allen has it listed but has had no interest since it is a unique property. 6. Public Comments: None 7. Other: a. CDBG Demolition Funds Available: Gary Evans supplied information regarding the potential use of CDBG funding for demolish of130 Prospect Street. Barry Ellison, Public Works Director, has a completed hazardous material study of the property. Gary has been trying to get the components together for CDBG demolition funding. The project would have to go through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). He noted that pictures demonstrating the blighted condition of property and the lack of structural integrity are crucial. SHPO will have a 30-day window to answer yet they could answer sooner. CDBG funding does add complexity to the project. The building wasn’t industrial or commercial so a Phase 1 Environmental Study is not needed. The area does not have endangered wildlife so that will not be a concern. A write-up will be necessary indicating that the house needs serious investment to bring it back to proper condition with both funding and interest not available. Gary noted the term used by the local HUD representative was, “Anything that could be labeled catastrophic loss of integrity for the community.” The following items should be noted: the building is a hazard to the neighborhood, is unrepairable without significant investment, is a flag lot, is non- conforming, has been unoccupied for more than three months, is a two family, and is city owned. Jim Troeger and Alderwoman Noblick will go inspect the property and take pictures. It was decided this should be done soon. Gary has had very preliminary conversation with SHPO. Alderwoman Noblick asked if property can be sold. Gary said yes but the funding would need to go back to CDBG. The City can keep the difference if the property sells at a profit, but if demolition costs are more than the selling amount, CDBG would take the loss. Alderwoman Noblick noted that Realtor Fred Allen thought the land was worth $15,000. b. 362 North Main Street (City owned): There is a contract on this property. c. Johnson Home & 8 West Town Street: James Troeger reported speaking with Harlan Hyde who is a Director of the Johnson Home. He will make sure the fence is fixed as soon as the snow is gone. d. Reid & Hughes: James Quarto presented a letter written by James Troeger in 2010. The Committee reviewed the letter issued to the City Manager regarding the condition of the Reid & Hughes building. James Troeger updated the committee on the current condition of the building. e. 221-223 Laurel Hill: Per Alderman Noblick, the City is taking the property back. She suggested the City consider using the lots as parking for the other houses in the area due to the unsafe parking conditions. f. Belval Street: This is a piece of land with garage on it. Alderwoman Noblick noted that the next set of properties put up for sale by the City will be parcels of land. g. 98 Washington Street: Jim Troeger got a call from the Fire Department due to the smell of gas at the property. Upon inspection, they found an oil tank flooded in the basement with dirt floor and broken pipes with water running. They found 15-20 small electric heaters running unsafely. Jim had the power and water turned off. The resident relocated to New London. He did not condemn the building but posted an unsafe sign. The power will remain off until the house is safe. The Fire Marshall called DEEP. Orders will be issued for the oil cleanup. h.Barns at the corner of Otrobando Ave: Gary Schnip noted the back of the barn is open. i.JP Mereen’s on Mediterranean Lane: Jim Troeger noted the condition of the property. j. 38 Oak Ridge: Richard Caron, Sr., reported he got a complaint on cardboard on windows and a porch falling in. While looking for the property, he noticed 55 Oak Ridge which has holes in the roof and weeds in gutters. Jim Troeger will look into it. k. 12 Ripley Place: Alderwoman Noblick reported a huge pile of furniture which has been there quite a while.  l. 10 6th Street: Alderwoman Noblick noted this is a foreclosure property with garbage in back yard. 8. Next meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, April 22, 2015, 6 PM. 9. Adjournment: On a motion by Richard Caron, Sr., seconded by James Quarto, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:01 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary