Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES Wednesday, December 16, 2015 5:00 PM Committee members present: Gary Schnip, Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, Jr., James Quarto, and James Heist Committee members absent: Richard Caron, Sr. City of Norwich Staff: Building Official James Troeger, Blight Officer Dan Coley Citizens Present: Gloria Warheide and Bob Rands, Sofee Noblick 1. Call to Order: Gary Schnip called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. 2. Determination of a Quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present. 3. Acceptance of Minutes: On a motion by Tucker Braddock, seconded by Jim Heist, the minutes of October 28, 2015 were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Communications: None. 5. Blight updates/concerns: On a motion by Tucker Braddock, seconded by Jim Heist, the Board of Review (BOR) voted unanimously to suspend the agenda order to allow Gloria Warheide to report. 98 Washington Street: Bob Rands reported progress with painting since the weather has cooperated. He has repaired windows and will make new ones if he can’t repair them. Weather permitting, he will scrape and oil the left side. Gary asked about the plans for the porch. Bob and Gloria plan to have a full porch again. Within next month he will put down roofing felt and shingles, again if it doesn’t snow. Gary noted that the Board of Review members understand how weather will affect the progress of the external issues with the building. Discussion ensued. The BOR is pleased with quality of the repairs, but concerned at the pace of the restoration. All agreed there has been progress. Gloria and Bob will be asked to report again in the spring. a) 556 East Main Street: Dan reported that some of the requested work has been done. There are still unboarded broken windows and loose bricks. The roof is collapsing. Jim T., Jim Q. and Tucker visited the property on December 15, 2015. Jim H. noted there is a fall risk from the neighboring house. It was decided that Dan will fine the property owner for property maintenance issues and Jim T will order demolition of the building, clean up the broken glass and board up the windows. b) 46 School Street: (fire damaged) Jim T. reported it can come off list.  c) 15 Park Street: Dan reported this is an open deck. After it was taken down, many holes were left. Fines have started and amount to approximately $6,000. Attorney Driscoll suggested starting the foreclosure process. Jim T. spoke with Attorney Amy Wickless about this property. There has been no response from owner. She also requests the City begin foreclosure. d) 218 Washington Street: Jim T. talked to Andy Sula. This is now Attorney Mark Block’s hands. He expects to close on the property Monday, December 21, 2015. Once the closing takes place, Jim T. is confident the property will be taken care of quickly. e) 62 North Main Street: Dan reported getting a lot of complaints on this property. The roof is starting to fall in. The Board of review agreed to follow-up. Fines have not started on yet, but blight fines will begin. f) 61 Lincoln Avenue: Jim T. has asked for fines to begin on this property. Tarps are covering holes where the original porch was. Significant property maintenance fines have accrued. Jim T. spoke to Attorney Wickless; foreclosure is needed. g) 34 Otrobando Avenue: Dan noted the poor condition of the house after recent health department intervention. The owners are working on it. The daughter of the elderly occupant owns the house. This property will remain on the list. h) 72 Page Street: Dan is sending fines but all mail is being returned. Despite not being able to track anyone down, the taxes are paid. The property is vacant and in very bad shape. Norwich Public Utilities cannot contact the owners, either. Dan has sent the blight letter. 6. Watch List: a) 16 Fountain Street: Jim T. reported the owner will work on it in the spring. He has other projects that he has permits for. b) 241 Broadway: Jim T. reported that Mr. Hamar has nothing new to report. c) 23 Pearl Street: Jim T. reported on the barn owned by Ira Turner, the attorney. He wants to rebuild it but can’t get a permit because part of the property may be over the property line. Mr. Turner wants assurances from the zoning department, so the permit and work are both stalled. d) Otrobando Barn: Jim T. reported some progress. Two parts of the barn have been removed and cleaned up. There is still storage in the barn. Jim Q saw them working at the site today. Per Jim T., the barn should be painted, not left as bare wood. e) 60 6th Street: Ownership of the property is in question. Tucker will clarify ownership. Upon ownership by the City, the Department of Public Works will take the garage down. Jim will write them a permit for this work.  f) 11 Lake Street: Jim T. noted it’s still in foreclosure. Attorney Wickless is still working on it. g) 49 Boswell Ave: Jim T. reported on the property at the corner of Boswell and Reynolds. It is owned by Seaport Investments. The Fire Chief says it is open in the back which is a fire hazard. It should be boarded up. Jim T. thinks the building is repairable. One option is to start fining Seaport Investment, so the Board of Review agreed that fines will start for unsecured property. h) 98 Washington Street: Gloria Warheide reported on her property earlier in the meeting. 7. City Owned Properties a) 34 Lake Street Garage: An offer is expected through the realtor. b) Reid and Hughes: Jim T. reported on another tour last week in response to a complaint that water is coming through the walls into the Shannon Building. Ryan Thompson, Director of Public Works, Pat McLaughlin, City Engineer, Jeremy Williamson from CLA and Jim T. went into the Shannon Building. Extensive discussion ensued regarding how to address the water issue. The second floor of the annex of the Shannon Building is where the water issue exists. Mayor Hinchey wants to see it. Tucker will discuss it with the Public Works Committee on Monday, December 21, 2015. The Board of Review suggested Tucker inquire about the process of starting the demolition process at Monday’s meeting. c) 88-90 Boswell Avenue: This is newly City owned. No report was given. d) 45 Lake St: Since the property contains a viable foundation for a building, there are many options for the site. Tucker will bring it up at the public works meeting on Monday, December 21, 2015. e) 60 6th Street: moved off the City owned list until ownership can be verified. 9. Other: Jim T. obtained the Do Not Enter list from the fire department today. A new list will come out in January. Gary stated it is a good list to start with as they compile a City-wide dangerous buildings list. He asked BOR members to drive by these properties with the goal of creating a comprehensive list to present to the City Council. 9. Public Comments: Sofee Noblick reported on 29 Boswell Avenue. The building is supposed to be vacant however people are occupying it. Jim T. will check it out. Past due taxes are approximately $7,500. Sofee plans to bring it up at Housing Management. 10. Next meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at 5 PM. 11. Adjournment: On a motion by Tucker Braddock, seconded by Jim Quarto, the meeting of the Board of Review unanimously adjourned at 6:35 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary