Council reinforces raze order for 111 Plum Street after owner seeks more time
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Summary
After a public plea from property owner Julie Nicholson to delay demolition, the Town Council voted to reinforce a raze/raise order for 111 Plum Street following staff reports that a Board of Zoning Appeals hearing affirmed the order and that a contractor was scheduled to begin work in early December.
Property owner Julie Nicholson asked the council for 30 days to present a contractor's plan and to make repairs at 111 Plum Street, saying her husband’s critical illness limited their ability to act earlier. Nicholson said she had contractors on site and funds set aside and asked the council to pause the raze order so she could either complete repairs or market the property for sale.
Town staff and council members recounted a longer history of notices, a prior BZA hearing and a formal raise/raze order issued under the town’s unsafe‑building authority. Staff said bids were opened and a contractor was tentatively scheduled to start demolition the week of the 8th; they emphasized the BZA affirmed the raise order and that the council would be constrained absent a documented contractor plan showing costs, timelines and follow‑through. Some council members said they were reluctant to usurp the BZA’s authority.
After extended discussion about prior opportunities to remedy the property and the absence of a binding contractor plan, a council member moved to reinforce the existing raze/raise order; the motion was seconded and the council voted to reinforce the order. Staff said removal was scheduled to begin in early December pending contractor coordination.