Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES Wednesday, July 26, 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, Building Official James Troeger Citizens Present: None 1. Call to Order: Gary Schnip called the meeting to order at 5:21 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 May 24, 2017 were unanimously approved as amended to indicate that Jim Heist noted the trees were cut. 4. Public Comment: None 5. Communications: Gary reported he sent a letter to the Public Works Committee regarding the committee’s recommendation that 11 Lake Street be demolished. Alderwoman Gould will look into the status. 6. Blight updates/concerns: a) 62 North Main Street: Jim T reported that brush has been cut only. The owner has been sent a letter and a blight citation went out. Fines are accruing. b) 554-556 East Main Street: Jim T reported there was another court appearance. The attorneys are writing briefs. The property is reportedly for sale. c) 337-341 Main Street (YMCA): Jim T reported that more securing has been done to the second floor. Alderman Braddock reported that the back door was open three weeks ago. Alderwoman Gould said there is a line item in the City’s budget for property maintenance. She will follow up on the property maintenance budget item and also with NCDC regarding the property. The committee agreed to ask public works to clean it up and secure the premises in the meantime. d) 120 McKinley Avenue garage: Jim T reported that a violation letter was sent. This property will be removed from the blight list. e) 26 Elijah Street: Jim T reported they cut the brush. The committee suggested starting foreclosure proceedings on all properties owned by Shetucket Ridge that have not paid taxes since 2011. Alderwoman Gould will follow up with Attorney Driscoll’s office. f) 109 Baltic Street: Jim T reported the owner will demolish the building as soon as he confirms he can rebuild in the same footprint even though it is non-conforming. The owner said it would happen as early as next week. Jim T will order that it be taken down.  g) 13 Otrobando Barn: Jim T reported that $50/day citations are being assessed. This will be assessed until the barn is taken down. h) Jordan’s Retaining Wall: Jim T reported that work is on hold. i) 24 River Avenue: Jim T reported this is vacant and under foreclosure. This will be watched. j) 50 Freeman Avenue (fire damage): Jim T reported it has been cleaned up. It is not a blight issue at this time. This will be watched. k) 160 West Thames Street (fire damage): Jim T reported this has been boarded up. Alderwoman Gould reported the landscaper was there today cleaning the yard. This property will be watched. 6. Watch List: a) 25 Otrobando Avenue mobile homes: Gary suggested the blight officer keep an eye on it. This property will be removed from the list. 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) 29 Boswell Avenue: Alderwoman Gould reported that Attorney Driscoll told her the property is in foreclosure. The judge has ordered a foreclosure sale. 8. City Owned Properties a) Reid and Hughes: Alderwoman Gould reported the developer has 90 days to secure the building. b) 88-90 Boswell Avenue: Jim T reported demolition is in progress. c) 270 West Thames Street: Alderwoman Gould reported that Realtor Fred Allen has it for sale. d) 13 Baltic Street: Alderwoman Gould reported the property still has title issues. e) 196 Yantic Street (The Artform Building): Jim T reported the demolition is complete. Fencing has been added. f) 31-33 Cliff Street (behind Chelsea Groton Bank): Jim T has a call into Chelsea Groton’s maintenance staff. g) 19 Stonington Road: Alderwoman Gould reported she spoke to Attorney Driscoll regarding the property. This property may be 17 Stonington Road. 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 or abutters. c) 29 7th Street (alleyway): Darryl reported there are now car parts along with at least two cars in the alleyway. d) Norwich Hospital Site: Jim T reported that there have been no permits issued for work at the site. e) 158 Prospect Street: Sofee reported the weeds are very high and hanging over the sidewalk. This would be a blight citation. Jim T will turn this over to Dan Coley, Blight Officer. f) 458 North Main Street (fire damage): Sofee reported it is overgrown in the front. Jim T will turn this over to Dan Coley, Blight Officer. g) 209 Boswell Avenue: Gary noted the blighted garage. Jim T will turn this over to Dan Coley, Blight Officer. h) Norwich Harbor: Darryl reported that four boats seem to be abandoned in the harbor. Alderman Braddock will take this to the Harbor Management Commission. The boats are sitting low in the water. There are also three boats in the parking lot at the marina. i) The committee decided to cancel the regularly scheduled August meeting. 10. Public Comment: None 11. Next meeting: The next regular meeting is Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at 5 PM. 12. Adjournment: On a motion by Jim Heist, seconded by Sofee Noblick, the Board of Review unanimously adjourned at 6:43 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary