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Select Board considers dangerous-building action for 10 S Mills Road after repeated extensions
Summary
Board members urged enforcement at a derelict property at 10 S Mills Road, citing structural risks, removed supports and public-safety concerns after multiple extensions; staff will contact the owner and board indicated enforcement is likely if conditions arent met.
The Select Board discussed moving forward with a dangerous-building enforcement action for a property at 10 S Mills Road after repeated extensions and what members described as worsening structural problems.
"The building's not safe and there are kids over there; I'm leaning towards we move with a dangerous building," a board member said during the Jan. 15 meeting, summarizing members' concerns over a partially open structure, removed I-beams and cribbing that board members said left a wall effectively missing.
Board members recounted multiple past deadlines and agreed the property owner, identified in staff remarks as Mr. Sheret, did not attend the meeting and had not responded to offers to join by Zoom. One member said the owner had previously said he was in Florida and had requested more time.
Select Board member Sher said she would only approve continuing to work with the owner if two conditions were met: the owner carried liability insurance "if somebody was to walk through a place," and fencing was installed "all the way around it like you see down on Hospital Street." Sher added that the board had extended deadlines repeatedly and said the structure now posed a clear public-safety risk.
A resident who spoke during public comment described visible foundation and frost-related issues, saying the property owner "has three/ four of the foundation down" and urged the board not to single the owner out unfairly but said the condition needed resolving.
Board members noted outdoor septic equipment left exposed and deteriorating in sunlight and expressed concern about potential liability if someone were injured on the site. Staff said they would contact the owner to arrange a meeting as soon as he returns and that the board was prepared to move forward with formal enforcement if the owner did not engage or meet reasonable safety conditions.
The board did not record a formal vote on enforcement at the Jan. 15 meeting; members asked staff to reach out and report back at the next meeting so the board could make a final procedural decision.
