Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES Wednesday, May 24, 2017 5:00 PM Committee members present: Alderman H. Tucker Braddock Jr., James Heist, James Quarto, Gary Schnip and Darryl Wickham Committee members absent: Sofee Noblick Others Present: Alderwoman Stacy Gould, Building Official James Troeger Citizens Present: None 1. Call to Order: Gary Schnip called the meeting to order at 5:30 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 April 26, 2017 were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Communications: None 5. Blight updates/concerns: a) 62 North Main Street: Jim T reported Attorney Driscoll said to renew the citations. This is in process. A letter has been sent to the owner. b) 554-556 East Main Street: Jim T reported there was a court appearance on May 23, 2017. He was on the witness stand for three hours. They will reconvene on June 8, 2017. The owner has put the property on the market for sale. c) 337-341 Main Street (YMCA): Jim T reported that more boarding-up has been done. Alderman Braddock noted there are areas that are still open. d) 120 McKinley Avenue garage: Jim T reported that Dan Coley, Blight Officer, has sent another letter. The corner needs to be repaired. e) 26 Elijah Street: Jim T reported he contacted the owners. They intend to remove the garage. There are back taxes on several pieces of property there owned by the same owner. f) 109 Baltic Street: Jim T reported the owner will demolish the building in June. 6. Watch List: a) 25 Otrobando Avenue mobile homes: Jim T reported he was unable to contact the owner. Deanna Rhodes, City Planner, sent the owner a letter explaining that the mobile homes are uninhabitable and once removed, they cannot be replaced. 7. Foreclosure in Progress: a) 61 Lincoln Avenue: Alderwoman Gould reported the owner is continuing to pay $35 per week. The property is in foreclosure. b) 11 Lake Street: Alderwoman Gould reported on the walk through taken by the committee. On a motion by Alderman Braddock, seconded by Jim Heist, the committee unanimously voted to recommend, in writing, to the City Council that the building be demolished. Gary Schnip will issue the letter. c) 29 Boswell Avenue: Alderwoman Gould reported that Attorney Driscoll reported the property is in foreclosure. 8. City Owned Properties a) Reid and Hughes: Alderman Braddock reported there is no change in the status of the building. b) 88-90 Boswell Avenue: Jim T reported on the pre-bid walkthrough Friday, April 28. The bidder for demolition has been selected. c) 270 West Thames Street: Alderwoman Gould reported that Realtor Fred Allen has potential purchasers. d) 13 Baltic Street: Alderwoman Gould reported the property still has title issues. Attorney Driscoll’s office is trying to work it out. e) 196 Yantic Street (The Artform Building): Jim T reported the demolition is in progress. f) 232 Yantic Street: Jim T reported the building has been demolished. 9. Other: a) Public Works Committee (PWC) Report: Alderwoman Gould reported there are no new property listings to report. b) 130 Prospect Street: Alderman Braddock reported he has not been successful in contacting the owner. c) 8 West Town Street: Jim T reported there was only one truck there now. It is allowed. d) 29 7th Street: Jim T reported that the Blight Officer sent a letter to the responsible party. e) 631 West Main Street: Alderwoman Gould reported the owner said the curb cut has not been done pending decisions on reconstruction of West Main Street. f) 367 Boswell Ave: The grounds of the property are being maintained and the tarp is small. g) 646 East Main Street: Alderwoman Gould reported the property has been cleaned up.  h) Norwich Hospital Site: Gary reported the trees are being cut. Alderman Braddock reported it is owner-occupied. Jim T will look into permitting. Alderman Braddock will follow up regarding Norwich Public Utilities sewer hook-up. i) 19 Stonington Road: Alderwoman Gould will discuss the issue with Attorney Driscoll. j) 13 Otrobando Avenue Barn: Jim T reported the corner of the barn fell. The owner has attempted to stabilize it. The owner intends to rebuild the corner and repair the barn. Jim T said no permitting has been done. He will speak to the owner about permits and structural assessment. There is a safety concern with the building. k) Cliff Street: Jim T reported this vacant house, behind Chelsea Groton Bank, has an upstairs window open. This property is owned by the City. Jim T will call the bank again. l) Jordan’s concrete retaining wall: Gary asked about this. Jim T reported that Gil Jordan has been working with City Planner Deanna Rhodes regarding the bricks in the wall. An engineer has been involved. m) 98 Washington Street: Gary noted there are safety issues. n) Old Savage Hardware: Darrell reported the upper part of the roof fell off. Jim T will refer it to the Blight Officer. 10. Public Comment: None 11. Next meeting: The next regular meeting is Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at 5 PM. 12. Adjournment: On a motion by Alderman Braddock, seconded by Jim Quarto, the Board of Review unanimously adjourned at 6:42 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary