Board of Condemnation and Blight removes several properties from agenda, schedules hearing for Lakeview Drive

Pat Mahoney, Building Department representative, called the April 21 meeting of the Board of Condemnation and Blight to order and led staff reviews of multiple blight complaints and compliance updates.

The board removed several properties from its active agenda after staff and callers reported cleanup or progress on repairs, and it agreed to schedule a determination hearing next month for a modular home at 348 Lakeview Drive where exterior debris and scattered equipment remain.

The meeting covered dozens of docketed addresses. Staff reported that at one property the owner removed bags of recyclables and most bulk items, leaving a few heavy solid-waste items on a driveway; the owner told staff he would arrange for pickup. At Reef Road (560–573 Reef Road) a caller, John Trickerico, said the property owner had removed a link belt and replaced a dumpster; staff recommended removing 573 Reef Road from the agenda after recent cleanup. Pat Mahoney and Eric, a Health Department representative, confirmed multiple properties were now in compliance or actively being addressed, and the board voted to remove several from the active list.

Staff also reported progress at properties including 211 High Street (vehicles removed), 904 High Street (rot­ten windowsills and some siding repairs made; owner intends to re-side within a month), 125 Stella (registered vehicles relocated), and 222 Stilton (owner working through court process and progressing toward demolition). At 561/561-series properties staff said they are continuing to work with the developer to remove debris, metal and pallets; for one parcel staff expects the house will likely be demolished but said no plans have been submitted yet.

At 163 New Hampshire Avenue staff relayed discussions with the Home Depot manager, who agreed to send crews to clear litter and to address a damaged fence caused when a tree fell. For 20 Morehouse Highway and 507 Rock Ridge staff said there was no significant change since the prior report.

For 348 Lakeview Drive (a modular house) staff said the owners reported they have been working on interior work through the winter and will begin exterior work; however, staff found substantial debris, tractors and other equipment scattered on the site and recommended a hearing. The board set a determination/hearing on that address for the next month, noting the owners have communicated by email and said they will continue exterior cleanup and repairs.

Quotes from the meeting included Caguana, a resident responding to the staff report on a driveway cleanup: “No, not really. Just like most of it, like when the person who came to see it, it's been like everything pretty much removed. Like the big white box, I don't have them anymore.” When asked about removing heavy items the resident said, “I'll try to do that as soon as possible, hopefully this week.” Complainant John Trickerico described recent removals at Reef Road: “I believe he did. And I know he got rid of the dumpster, brought another dumpster, filled it up.”

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve last month’s minutes — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (vote tally not specified in transcript).

- 573 Reef Road — motion to remove 573 Reef Road from the agenda; mover: Eric (Health Department representative); second: Pat Mahoney (Building Department representative); outcome: approved (Pat Mahoney recorded “Aye”; other named votes not recorded).

- 211 High Street — motion to remove from agenda; outcome: approved (vote tally not specified).

- 904 High Street — motion to remove from agenda after reported repairs; outcome: approved (vote tally not specified).

- 201 / 201 Whitehill/White Hill Lane — motion to remove 201 Whitehill/White Hill Lane from the agenda; outcome: approved (vote tally not specified).

- 348 Lakeview Drive — direction: schedule a determination hearing next month to review ongoing exterior debris and repairs (board action/direction, not a final order).

Several other addresses (507 Rock Ridge, 20 Morehouse Highway, 454 Vernon Hills, 561-series properties, 222 Stilton and others) were discussed and left on the agenda for continued monitoring or enforcement.

The board ended the meeting after a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.

The meeting record shows staff following up with owners and developers to secure demolition permits or final repairs where needed, and several items will return to the agenda pending further compliance or permit submissions.