Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 5:00 PM Committee members present: Chair Gary Schnip, Alderwoman Stacy Gould, Tucker Braddock Jr., James Heist, Sofee Noblick, James Quarto and Darryl Wickham Committee members absent: None Others Present: Building Official James Troeger and Blight Officer Brittany Williams 1. Call to Order: Chair Gary Schnip called the meeting to order at 5:13 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 Tucker Braddock, the minutes of April 25, 2018 of the Board of Review (BOR) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Public Comment: None 5. Communications: None 6. Blight updates/concerns: a) 62 North Main Street: Blight Officer Brittany Williams reported approximately $65,000 in fines have accumulated on the property. The Committee decided to instruct Brittany to see that the liens are placed on the property and the owner notified. b) 554-556 East Main Street: Jim T reported the owner paid the fine. The agreement was to remove the tower and the brick building on the uphill side. Jim offered to meet the owner to discuss. c) 337-341 Main Street (YMCA): Alderwoman Gould said there is renewed interest in the property. d) Jordan’s Retaining Wall: Jim T reported no activity. The excavator is still there. e) 209 Boswell Avenue: Brittany reported that the owner has replaced the garage doors. He pulled a building permit and work on the roof has started. f) 38 West Main Street, Marina Towers: Alderwoman Gould reported that the boats are still there. There is an interested party in purchasing the property. Brittany spoke to the owner and DEEP. The boats were abandoned on the property. She will go out within the next week. He has not taken care of the waste, weeds or damage to the building. The property is currently in violation. g) Hale Mill: Jim T reported the potential owners have met with City Planner Deanna Rhodes. h) 61 Lincoln Avenue: Brittany said it is in bank foreclosure. There were no other updates. i) 95 River Avenue: Brittany reported it has been sent to violation. It is occupied. The owner is trying to remove the bulky waste and start repairs. Brittany will check the property weekly. j) 23 Williams Street (porch): Brittany reported they have active permits and they are working on it. 7. Watch List: a) 24 River Avenue: Brittany reported there is a new owner. The front steps have been repaired.  b) 31-33 Cliff Street: Brittany reported the property is not secure. The taxes haven’t been paid since 2011. Alderwoman Gould will check to see if this property is on the tax foreclosure list. c) Norwich Hospital Site: Alderwoman Gould reported there is a court date in July. d) 231 Broadway: Jim T was in contact with the contractor. The permit has expired. Brittany noted there are no signs that work has started so she sent a violation notice. e) Verguson Avenue: Brittany is working with the owner to start the process of taking down the barn and making the area safe with fencing. 8. Foreclosure in Progress: a) 29 Boswell Avenue: Alderwoman Gould reported the foreclosure is moving forward. b) 26 Elijah Street: Alderwoman Gould reported this is set for the tax auction. 9. City Owned Properties a) Reid and Hughes: Jim T reported the permit for stabilization has been issued. The developers plan to start abatement next week. b) 270 West Thames Street: Alderwoman Gould reported Tighe & Bond has been working on environmental studies on the property. c) 13 Baltic Street: Alderwoman Gould reported the title should be clear by the end of the month. DPW cleaned-up the property. The committee decided to look at the property. d) 11 Lake Street: Jim T reported the RFP has not been issued. e) 19 Stonington Road: Alderwoman Gould reported the trailer is gone. f) 482-492 Norwich Avenue: Alderwoman Gould reported the property is still under consideration with the Public Works Committee. The committee decided to tour the building. 10. Other: a) Public Works Committee (PWC) Report: Alderwoman Gould reported the committee is working on several projects. b) 62 Plain Hill: Gary brought this property to the committee’s attention. Brittany reported she is aware. The BOR will watch this property. c) 77 Clinton Avenue: Jim Q brought this to the committee’s attention. Brittany will check on the property. There is an existing violation. d) 98 Washington Street: Gary noted there has been no activity. Brittany will look into it. 11. Next meeting: The next regular meeting is Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at 5 PM. 12. Adjournment: On a motion by Jim Quarto, seconded by Jim Heist, the Board of Review unanimously adjourned at 6:25 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary