Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES Wednesday, November 30, 2016 5:00 PM Committee members present: Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, Jr., James Heist, Sofee Noblick, James Quarto and Gary Schnip Committee members absent: None Others Present: Alderwoman Stacy Gould, City Building Official James Troeger Citizens Present: Darrell Wickham 1. Call to Order: Gary Schnip called the meeting to order at 5:49 PM. 2. Determination of a Quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present. 3. Acceptance of Minutes: On a motion by Jim Heist, seconded by Alderman Braddock, the minutes of October 26, 2016 were unanimously approved with the correction of Fire Marshal’s List to Housing Management Team List. 4. Communications: None 5. Blight updates/concerns: a) 62 North Main Street: Jim T reported clean-up is proceeding slowly. Construction materials have been brought to the site. No permit has been applied for. b) 554-556 East Main Street: Jim T reported that a notice of law suit has been received by the City. Gary said it was cleaner than it has been in the past. c) 646 East Main Street: Jim T did not have a report. d) 337-341 Main Street (YMCA): Alderman Braddock said Hyde Landscaping did a clean- up. Sofee noted the tax lien is over $765,000. This property will stay on the blight list. 6. Watch List: a) 34 Lake Street (garage): Jim T reported a permit was pulled but no action was taken. b) 25 Otrobando Avenue mobile homes: Jim T reported it has been cleaned up. There is a dispute with the railroad. He is working with zoning. The mobile homes are still there. 7. Foreclosure in Progress: a) 15 Park: Jim T reported the city owns it now. It is an unsafe situation. Jim T requested that the Department of Public Works (DPW) clean it up. b) 61 Lincoln Avenue: Jim T reported the owner pays the City $35/week to the Housing Secretary towards the Property Maintenance citations. This agreement was made with Attorney Driscoll’s office. Alderwoman Gould will follow-up with Attorney Driscoll. c) 11 Lake Street: Alderwoman Gould reported that Attorney Wickless has the appraisal and the foreclosure should be continuing.  d) 29 Boswell Avenue: Alderwoman Gould will check with Attorney Driscoll. 8. City Owned Properties a) 45 Lake Street (foundation): Jim T recommended this property go back on the watch list. It is a foundation with an unsafe deck on it. The foundation was filled in by DPW. b) Reid and Hughes: Jim T reported an engineering firm has been chosen through the bid process to assess the building. c) 88-90 Boswell Avenue: Jim T reported that a hazardous materials study was completed. A lot of asbestos was discovered. The demolition will go out to bid, so they are getting bid specifications together. d) 270 West Thames Street: Alderwoman Gould said it is on the market for $17,500. e) 13 Baltic Street: Alderwoman Gould reported this property is on the market with the realtor Fred Allen. Alderwoman Gould said calls can be referred to her. f) 165 Prospect Street: Alderwoman Gould reported it is on the market. Jim T reported there have been complaints about garbage. Sofee noted it had been picked up. g) 196 Yantic Street (The Artform Building): Jim T reported Mel Weiss was low bidder on the demolition. Gary Evans, Community Development Supervisor, sent Mel a letter of concern relating to removal of the bricks. h) 232 Yantic Street: Jim T reported that Gary Evans estimates $25,000 to demolish it. 9. Other: a) Public Works Committee (PWC) Report: Alderman Braddock reported the PWC is working on creating a comprehensive list of city owned properties. Also, they are reviewing the processes of transferring properties to new owners. b) 130 Prospect Street: Sofee inquired about the property. Alderman Braddock reported he spoke with the abutters. Sofee said the first step is an abutter auction. The City used CDBG funding so it cannot be a building lot. Alderman Braddock will contact Attorney Driscoll’s office. Sofee suggested getting a resolution through the City Council. c) 26 Elijah Street: Sofee reported it is vacant and blighted. Jim T will look into it. d) 109 Baltic Street: Alderman Braddock inquired about this property. Alderwoman Gould said Mel Weiss has owned it since July. It is unsafe. The BOR will continue to monitor it. 10. Public Comments: None 11. Next meeting: The next regular meeting is Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at 5 PM. 12. Adjournment: On a motion by Jim Heist, seconded by Jim Quarto, the Board of Review unanimously adjourned at 7:01 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Melinda Wilson, Recording Secretary