Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES Wednesday, March 22, 2017 5:00 PM Committee members present: Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, Jr., James Heist, Sofee Noblick, James Quarto, Gary Schnip and Darryl Wickham Committee members absent: None Others Present: Alderwoman Stacy Gould, City Building Official James Troeger Citizens Present: 1. Call to Order: Chair Gary Schnip called the meeting to order at 5:45 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 February 22, 2017 were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Communications: Gary asked if everyone had completed the Ethics Training which is due by March 31st. Two members still need complete the training. 5. Blight updates/concerns: a) 62 North Main Street: Jim T reported on a conversation with the owner. He was invited to attend this meeting however he had other commitments. He will be in the area soon. Jim T will invite him to next month’s meeting. The BOR agreed Jim T should request he come up with a milestone timeline. Jim T also reported that some brush has been cut. b) 554-556 East Main Street: Jim T reported on a day in court. The owner’s attorney was present. The owner still insists that he wants to do something with the building and repeated conversations previously held. He has 45 days from the court date to come up with a list of progress milestones, including permit progress, that will happen within 6 months. He is fighting the last property maintenance fine. If he does not meet the agreed-upon milestones, this fine will be assessed. There is a storage tenant in the building and the taxes are current. c) 337-341 Main Street (YMCA): Jim T had no report. d) 120 McKinley Avenue garage: Jim T had no new report. e) 26 Elijah Street: Jim T reported that these multiple properties are owned by Shetucket Ridge. Alderwoman Gould brought this to Attorney Driscoll’s attention. f) 109 Baltic Street: Jim T reported Mel Weiss will work on this when the weather breaks. 6. Watch List: a) 25 Otrobando Avenue mobile homes: Jim T reported City Planner Deanna Rhodes sent the owner a letter explaining the options for the property. He cannot replace the mobile homes. Jim T is unaware of a response to Deanna’s letter. 7. Foreclosure in Progress: a) 61 Lincoln Avenue: Jim T reported the bank has begun foreclosure. The City is in second place. b) 11 Lake Street: Alderwoman Gould reported on a hearing held on March 21, 2017. The judge allowed the City to move forward with foreclosure. She will follow-up next week to get the status. The Committee agreed to take a walk through once it is owned by the City.. c) 29 Boswell Avenue: Jim T reported that Dan Coley, Blight Officer, sent a blight letter. Alderwoman Gould reported the owner came up with a payment plan. 8. City Owned Properties a) Reid and Hughes: Alderwoman Gould reported the request for Proposals has been issued. They are waiting on responses. Jim T has not been in since the last storm b) 88-90 Boswell Avenue: Jim T reported the bid specifications are all together. Bill Hathaway, Purchasing Agent, has the information. Alderwoman Gould will follow-up. c) 270 West Thames Street: Alderwoman Gould reported it is still for sale. d) 13 Baltic Street: Alderwoman Gould reported that Attorney Wickless explained the title issue between Citibank and Bank of America. The City has had a buyer for 8 months. e) 196 Yantic Street (The Artform Building): Jim T reported the demolition permit was issued last week. Demolition should be started within a week. f) 232 Yantic Street: Jim T reported the demolition of this building went out to bid. 9. Other: a) Public Works Committee (PWC) Report: Alderman Gould reported the PWC has put 15 Park Street with Fred Allen to sell as a vacant lot. 181 Hamilton Avenue is held up with a title problem.165 Prospect Street was sold. 13 Baltic Street is being held up. b) 130 Prospect Street: Alderman Braddock met with the abutters. One of them expressed interest. The BOR agreed that it must be legally joined to his property at his expense. c) 19 North Cliff Street: Alderwoman Gould will put through a resolution to form a committee of sale. d) 15 Park St: Alderwoman Gould previously reported this property is for sale. e) 8 West Town Street: Gary reported vehicles are still there. Jim T will follow up with Dan Coley, Blight Officer. f) 29 7​th​ Street: Jim T will have Dan C check on it. g) 631 West Main Street: Alderwoman Gould said according to Attorney Driscoll it has not  been joined to the adjacent property. She will follow-up. It needs to be joined to 647 West Main Street and one of the curb cuts needs to be closed off at his expense. h) 367 Boswell Ave: Jim T will follow-up with Dan Coley. i) 646 East Main Street: Alderwoman Gould will check on this. j) 263 Broadway garage on Crescent St: Jim T reported that the City has condemned the building. Heavy snow may cause the garage to collapse. The owner has asked for more time. It is for sale. The building is on two properties. Kyle Campbell owns the small one and they have shored up the inside. The sidewalk is on the other side of the road. k) Norwich Hospital Site: Mark Fields is the principal. Alderman Braddock reported this property looks blighted. The BOR decided it is a property maintenance issue. 10. Public Comments: Greg Grippo, 209 Boswell Avenue, brought a couple of properties to the attention of the BOR. Gary suggested he follow up with the City’s Blight Officer, Dan Coley. 11. Next meeting: The next regular meeting is Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at 5 PM. 12. Adjournment: On a motion by Jim Quarto, seconded by Jim Heist, the Board of Review unanimously adjourned at 6:29 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary