Appeal hearing for Bolivar Espinal paused after Stamford health officials absent; judge will issue written decision

A Jan. 9, 2025 administrative hearing on an advisory letter from the City of Stamford Department of Health and Human Services concerning 16 Lipton Place concluded without testimony from the department, and the presiding officer said a written decision will be issued.

Bolivar Espinal, the appellant, attended the hearing and was sworn before speaking. He told the hearing that an inspector visited the property and told him “there's not allowed people to live there,” but that the unit contains only storage and no bedding or kitchen facilities. “There's no mattress, no bed. It's not — only junk stuff, like storage,” Espinal said.

The presiding officer noted the department, identified in the hearing notice as the City of Stamford Department of Health and Human Services, did not present evidence. “I do not have any evidence from them that you violated anything,” the presiding officer said, explaining that the department has the burden of proof in the appeal.

The record shows three exhibits were entered: an advisory letter dated Dec. 4, 2024 addressed to Bolivar Espinal; a written appeal filed Dec. 9, 2024 by Espinal; and a notice of hearing dated Dec. 23, 2024 scheduling the Jan. 9, 2025 hearing. The presiding officer confirmed the hearing notice was sent to Espinal and to Jody Bishop Poulan, identified in the record as director of public health for the City of Stamford Department of Health and Human Services, who was not present. The presiding officer also said the hearing office received an email from Alfonso Tardy indicating he would advise Espinal, but Tardy did not appear.

Because no representative of the health department presented evidence at the hearing, the presiding officer indicated the hearing could end and a written decision would follow. Espinal said he would prefer to end the hearing in the department’s absence so he could learn what the inspector found and correct any violation if necessary. The presiding officer adjourned the hearing and confirmed a written decision will be issued.

The record does not state the content of the advisory letter’s alleged violation beyond the department’s notation that people were not allowed to live at the property, nor does it include testimony or documentary evidence from the City of Stamford. The city’s director of public health did not appear at the hearing, and no additional hearings or dates were announced on the record.