Code enforcement committee vows continued monitoring of problem properties, negotiates cleanup deadlines

The City of Bristol Code Enforcement Committee on an undated meeting reviewed a slate of problem properties and told staff to keep monitoring several addresses while pursuing citations, foreclosure timelines and negotiated clean-up deadlines.

Maria (filling in for Mayor Shannon) opened the meeting and the committee approved the Dec. 3 minutes by voice vote. Code enforcement officer Mike Doherty said 81 Wilkett is under new ownership and that the building and fire departments are consulting with the new owner as permits are being submitted. The committee agreed to retain 81 Wilkett on the monitoring list for one more month while permits remain in process.

On 267 Main Street, fire and building officials reported the structure is boarded and secured and said staff will continue periodic inspections to ensure no combustibles are stored inside. Staff said several permits for the property remain open but inactive and that the matter will remain on the agenda while any court foreclosure plays out.

Staff updated the committee on a foreclosure for 3267 Main Street. A staff member familiar with the case said outside counsel had commenced foreclosure proceedings with a Dec. 30 return date and that no defendants had appeared; depending on whether defendants file appearances or answers within the available statutory periods, the city could eventually obtain title through strict foreclosure, but staff stressed the court process provides leeway for defendants to cure defaults. The committee emphasized maintaining a tight paper trail while the legal timeline unfolds.

The committee also discussed the brick Joel Case/8 Summer Street complex, where staff said 12 original property-maintenance complaints remain partially unresolved (six items still open), along with two open building permits and an electrical permit. Staff plan a meeting with the property manager (identified in the record as Tiana) to discuss quality standards and will send fresh citations if progress is insufficient.

For a parcel referenced as Terrible Road, staff recounted an agreement with the property owner’s attorney that gives the owner until March 1 to complete cleanup to the city’s definition of “clean.” Under that agreement the owner would withdraw a pending appeal; if the cleanup is completed by that date, city staff said tickets would be waived, but if the owner fails to meet the deadline the city will pursue new clean-and-lien orders and judgments and the owner agreed not to appeal additional clean-and-lien orders entered by the committee.

Staff reported issuing a citation for 275 Cherryville Road and said the estate’s representative told staff there is no written contract to sell; staff said they will continue enforcement until the property is sold or remediated.

Committee members also reviewed several other addresses (including 138 West, 48 Park and 148 School streets), described inspection and permit activity, and warned of patterns of absentee owners with properties across multiple jurisdictions that strain enforcement resources. The chief building official and fire marshal reiterated that they will continue complaint-driven enforcement and coordinate citations, inspections and required follow-ups.

Chair Maria closed the discussion by stressing interagency coordination — building, health, fire and code enforcement — and scheduled follow-ups, telling staff to continue robust attendance and communication so matters do not simply move month to month without progress.

The next Code Enforcement Committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers with a Zoom option; the committee adjourned by voice vote.