Council finds house at 8 Park Street a dangerous building, directs legal counsel on next steps

The Hallowell City Council voted unanimously to declare the property at 8 Park Street a dangerous building after a public hearing that included testimony from the code enforcement officer and community members.

The code enforcement officer told the council emergency responders could not safely enter the house because of severe interior deterioration, nonfunctional utilities, evidence of mold/air‑quality problems and other hazards, and that he had an allergic reaction during inspection. He said EMTs and the fire department advised they would not enter the property and that the homeowner — a military veteran with significant health needs — has an open Adult Protective Services case and contact with VA social services.

Sean Knight, a property manager who has been helping the homeowner, urged the council to allow time for rehousing efforts and for voluntary remediation options, noting he is seeking an apartment placement and that sale or rehabilitation would be preferable to displacement when possible.

Councilor Knox moved to find the property a dangerous building and to proceed accordingly; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Councilors said the declaration is a finding under the municipal dangerous‑building statute and that staff will work with legal counsel to structure required public notices, establish any order to vacate with appropriate timelines, and outline remediation or abatement steps and responsibilities. Councilors emphasized that declaring the building dangerous enables the next legal and administrative steps but does not itself execute an immediate eviction without following statutory notice requirements.

The council also asked staff to coordinate with social‑service partners (DHS and VA) to ensure the homeowner receives available assistance and to consider reasonable timelines that allow rehousing efforts to proceed in parallel with the legal process.