Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES Wednesday, July 27, 2016 5:00 PM Committee members present: Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, Jr., Sofee Noblick, James Heist, Gary Schnip Committee members absent: James Quarto, Richard Caron, Sr. Others Present: Alderwoman Stacy Gould, City Building Official James Troeger Citizens Present: Gloria Warheide (for corresponding agenda item) 1. Call to Order: Gary Schnip called the meeting to order at 5:09 PM. 2. Determination of a Quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present. 3. Acceptance of Minutes: On a motion by Alderman Braddock, seconded by Jim Heist, the minutes of June 22, 2016 were unanimously approved as presented. Gary Schnip abstained due to non-attendance. 4. Communications: None 5. Blight updates/concerns: a) 62 North Main: Jim T reported that no action has been taken by the owner. Dan Coley, Blight Officer, is issuing blight citations. b) 49 Boswell Avenue: Jim T reported Dan sent notices to the owner, a financial institution, but has received no reply. c) 554-556 East Main Street: Jim T reported he contacted Attorney Mark Block. The fines that were put on hold have been recorded. As of today, the property maintenance citations are approximately $15,000. d) 582 Laurel Hill Road (Route 12): Jim T reported the grass has been cut. Jim H reported there is no longer a tarp on the roof. The BOR will continue to monitor this property. 6. Watch List: a) 23 Pearl Street: Jim T reported there is a demolish order on the barn. This expires next week. After the expiration, fines will begin. b) 24 Cooper Street: This item can be removed from the Watch List. c) 34 Lake Street (garage): Jim T reported this has changed ownership. The condition has not changed. d) Otrobando Avenue mobile homes: Jim T reported Dan sent a letter to the owner. e) Clinton Avenue TLB Machine: Jim T had no report. Alderman Braddock spoke to the owner about the woodpile. The property is a floodway. On a motion by Jim Heist, seconded by Alderman Braddock, the BOR unanimously voted to suspend the BOR agenda to reconvene the 59-61 School Street Committee of Sale meeting at 5:28 PM. On a motion by Jim Heist, seconded by Alderman Braddock, the BOR unanimously voted to reconvene at 5:48 PM. 7. Foreclosure in Progress:  a) 15 Park: Jim T had no report. b) 61 Lincoln Avenue: Jim T reported blight citations are being accrued. Gary asked Jim T to report next month on the amount of blight liens and when the foreclosure will start. c) 11 Lake Street: Jim T had no report. d) 27-29 2nd Street: Jim T had no report. 8. City Owned Properties a) 45 Lake Street (foundation): Jim T reported this is still owned by the City. b) Reid and Hughes: The City Manager’s report on the condition of the Reid and Hughes will be issued to the City Council in September. c) 88-90 Boswell Avenue: Tucker reported the City’s Realtor, Fred Allen, is working on it. d) 270 West Thames Street: This has been cleaned up by the Department of Public Works and is for sale. e) 13 Baltic Street: The BOR agreed to suggest the Public Works Committee put this to Committee of Sale. e) 165 Prospect Street: Alderwoman Gould will follow-up with the Public Works Committee. The BOR agreed the City should sell this property through the realtor. f) 60 6th Street: Alderwoman Gould will follow up with Public Works Committee. f) 130 Prospect Street: BOR agrees on offering this as an abutter auction. This is land only. 9. Other: 98 Washington Street: Gloria Worheide reported that scraping and painting of the front exterior will take place while the weather is good. Two things have come up since the last time she reported to the BOR. Water is coming into the sub-basement. The ground in front of the hosue slopes towards the house so some fill needs to be brought in to reslope the yard. Also the decking on the side of the porch on the left side as you face the house is falling in. It is fenced off so no one can access it. It needs to be repaired. She plans to work on resloping the lawn, then scraping paint and then repairing the decking. Sofee reported the property is on the Fire Marshal’s list due to a woodpile on the left side of the house. He said the wood in the racks is ok but not the wood on the ground. Gloria is aware. Gary asked her how long she has owned the house. Since 1999, she reported. Gloria also reported they have to electrical problems which have needed to be fixed. Not much has been done since fall due to her worker’s health. During the next two months the BOR will see changes. Gloria expects to have the front side scraped and painted, and painting on the trim (just on the top) completed. She hopes to start on the side, but the decking needs to be repaired on that side to hold the ladder. The roof will not get done within the next two months. Extension cords were used for heaters and the City requested outlets be put in. She has not put in new outlets. The BOR asked her to report again in October, 2016. The hazardous conditions must be abated. The Fire Marshal needs that wood moved. Gary mentioned using caution during the work for safety reasons. Alderman Braddock reported on the Public Works Committee meeting. He reviewed the status of the following City-owned properties. 18 Stonington Road (mobile home); 109 Laurel Hill Avenue; 16 West Thames Street is a piece of land. Sofee suggested a price of $500 which was past practice for a small, unusable lot; 12 Lathrop Court may have been purchased already; 48 Hinckley Street which can be sold; 181 Hamilton Avenue on the corner Corning Road which is a nice house which can be sold; 60 6th Street which is perhaps a Homestead or Committee of Sale candidate. The BOR agreed to recommend the Public Works Committee make this a Committee of Sale property with those present serving as the new committee; 58 Division Street, someone is living in the house so Alderman Braddock spoke with Attorney Michael Driscoll who will contact Bill Hathaway to contact the property manager. Tucker will call Fred Allen and get back to the BOR with details; 19 Ward Street; 131 Lawler Lane which is 19 acres of land with no utilities present. The process of selling a City owned property was discussed. Josh Pothier, Controller, sends an email to all departments with information regarding the properties to avoid any conflicts with other internal city uses for the properties. 196 Yantic Street (The Artform Building): Jim T reported the state has lifted any objection to demolition. Gary Evans, Community Development Supervisor, can spend grant funding to demolish it. 232 Yantic Street: Jim T reported the two family dwelling is on the pathway to the Falls. It is now city owned. 17 West Town Street: Gary reported this is still in blighted condition. Jim T reported that the owner has been cited. 10. Public Comments: None 11. Next meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at 5 PM. 12. Adjournment: On a motion by Jim Heist, seconded by Alderman Braddock, the Board of Review unanimously adjourned at 7:01 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary