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Fenton board sets deadlines, enforcement options for multiple unsafe structures
Summary
The Town of Fenton directed property owners at several addresses to repair or remove unsafe buildings, set a Sept. 30 deadline and reserved the right to remove buildings at owners’ expense; one collapsing garage was approved for immediate emergency demolition.
The Town of Fenton Town Board on May 27 urged multiple property owners to complete repairs or remove unsafe structures and set enforcement deadlines after repeated notices and inspections.
Supervisor David Gunster and Building Inspector Matt Banks described a collapsing barn at 8 Canal Street; owners Ted and Betty Tait said they will move stored items into a permitted shed and planned to dismantle the barn, asking for until the end of summer to finish. Mr. Banks confirmed a shed permit is allowed and said he would provide permitting information.
At 70 Pigeon Hill Road, property owner Cathy Lawton said an attached barn/garage must be removed and asked whether she could burn material on site; Mr. Gunster said a controlled burn might be possible but the town could not confirm permissibility without further review. She said exterior siding repairs are nearly complete.
Scott Baker, who spoke about two barns on 28 Pine Street, told the board he plans piecemeal repairs and to reuse rafters; the board noted repeated prior commitments to clean the parcel and that the recorded owner, David Baker (deceased), remains on title without an apparent completed probate. The board voted to send Scott Baker a letter requiring a monthly status report and setting a Sept. 30 deadline; the town expressly reserved the right to pursue an Unsafe Structure report and remove buildings at owners’ expense if the terms are not met.
The board also heard brief updates on 1142 Chenango Street (Mark Colian reporting he will schedule a garage footing inspection), 44 Ganoungtown Road (Clint Ellis said he will remove a shed and camper in about two weeks), 1 McMullen Street (the town attorney will re-check records), and 112 Pigeon Hill Road (well-drilling activity noted). Code Enforcement Officer John Broughton flagged ongoing concerns about structures and permitting.
The board’s instructions combine informal remediation timelines (owner promises and scheduled permit inspections) with the formal enforcement option of an Unsafe Structure report and removal at the owner’s expense if remediation milestones are missed. The letter and the Sept. 30 deadline are the next steps the town will issue to property owners.
What happens next: Building Inspector Matt Banks is scheduled to meet with the Taits in June about permits; Scott Baker will receive a deadline letter and must submit monthly status updates to the town. If owners do not meet requirements, the town may proceed with formal removal and bill owners for costs.
