Board holds status conference on 44 North Center; continues nuisance order on 388 South Avenue

The Bradford Board of Health held a second status conference on 44 North Center Street, where the property owner reported partial progress on renovations but acknowledged missed deadlines; the board instructed staff to issue a notice of violation with a firm compliance timeline and authority to impose fines. Later in the meeting the board voted to continue a public-nuisance order for 388 South Avenue.

Property owner (identified in the record as Mr. Simmons) told the board he has cleaned out the entire second-floor apartment, poured footers for a porch rebuild, begun vinyl siding and has been painting; he said he hopes to finish the exterior work within "a couple of weeks" if no other issues arise. He also said he intends to sell the property when renovations are complete.

City staff noted the owner failed to submit a project timeline that the board had required by March 21, 2025, in a March 12 letter. The board's letter required a project plan outlining specific steps and completion dates to be submitted to Health Department staff; staff told the board that no plan had been received. The board emphasized exterior deficiencies as the priority and encouraged the owner to coordinate with Health Department staff to document the remaining work.

Health Department staff said interior utilities (water and gas) are terminated and windows, porches and structural repairs remain outstanding; staff said bathrooms and kitchens would be operable once water is reconnected and tested. The board instructed Health Department staff to meet with Mr. Simmons promptly to clarify the outstanding requirements, issue a notice of violation with a tight compliance date and to notify the board after inspection. Staff were also authorized to issue fines and citations as appropriate.

Separately, the board considered a continuation of a long-standing nuisance order for 388 South Avenue. Staff recited the property's enforcement history: an initial order finding the property a nuisance dated Sept. 25, 2018, a sale out of the tax repository on March 22, 2021, and subsequent conveyance. Staff told the board that the property remains subject to the prior adjudication and recommended the board continue the nuisance order. A board member moved to continue the nuisance order for 388 South Avenue; the motion passed on roll call.

The board asked owners to provide documentation of any sale or purchase agreement; staff requested the buyer's purchase agreement be filed with the city so the department can track transfer and compliance.