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Pittsfield council launches dangerous-building proceedings for four properties
Summary
The council voted to begin condemnation and dangerous-building procedures for four unoccupied properties—198 Lincoln St., 430 Peltoma Ave., 186 North Main St., and 231 Somerset Ave.—citing public-safety risk and a statutory process that could lead to demolition and town remediation.
The Pittsfield Town Council on Aug. 19 authorized staff to begin formal dangerous-building proceedings for four properties identified as unsafe or blighted.
Clerk Nicole read resolution 2578, which listed the properties at 198 Lincoln Street, 430 Peltoma Avenue, 186 North Main Street and 231 Somerset Avenue. Staff described the statutory condemnation process: property owners and known mortgage holders must be notified, a hearing is held, and the council may issue an order with a remediation timeline (commonly 30–60 days). If owners do not remediate, the council may order removal and the town may seek to recoup demolition costs by special assessment or by selling an improved lot when the property is tax-acquired.
Staff told the council that three of the four properties are already tax-acquired, which affects the town’s legal options. The town attorney recommended treating these as dangerous buildings through the standard condemnation process rather than relying on newer tax-acquired disposition procedures, to avoid procedural challenges.
Councilors asked for a list or spreadsheet that documents each property’s status and where it is in the process; staff agreed to include it as part of the monthly packet so councilors and the public can track progress. Council members also discussed occupancy status (the properties on the current list are unoccupied) and possible timelines for completion; staff estimated hearings and orders could move these matters into September or October depending on notification windows.
The council approved resolution 2578 by voice vote. Staff said, depending on timing, removal or remediation work could occur before year-end and that the town would attempt to work with responsive owners and could grant extensions if demonstrable progress is shown.
What happens next: the town will issue notifications to owners and interested parties, schedule hearings, and present draft orders to the council. If owners do not act, the town may remove structures and pursue cost recovery as allowed by statute and town process.
