Council opens dangerous-building proceedings for 135 Main Street

Pittsfield’s town council voted Dec. 16 to initiate a formal dangerous-building action for the property at 135 Main Street after staff presented photographic and aerial evidence showing extensive roof damage and falling material that threatens pedestrians and adjacent buildings.

Town Manager Jack explained the statute-driven process: staff served notice on the owner with deadlines to submit a repair plan and retain contractors; because the owner did not respond, the town will serve a formal notice of a hearing and present a draft order at that hearing. “The order would set deadlines for remedy, and if those deadlines lapse the town would have the right to step in and address the safety issue and assess the costs,” Jack said, describing options including requiring repairs or removing the structure and assessing a special tax to recoup town costs.

Rich, a member of the BTE group who spoke during public comment, said the building is historic and urged the council to seek ways to salvage it rather than lose another downtown landmark: “It’s a shame to see a historic property like that allowed to deteriorate,” he said. Rich told council members he would be willing to participate in disposition discussions, including executive-session negotiations if needed.

Councilors asked whether the proceeding prevents a sale; Jack said it does not prevent a transfer of ownership but gives the town tools to set remediation benchmarks and to modify the order’s deadlines to accommodate a bona fide buyer’s timeline. The council adopted resolution 25-129 to initiate the dangerous-building process. The next steps are service of formal notice and a public hearing at which the owner may present objections; after that the council may adopt an order setting remediation deadlines or take further action if the owner does not comply.

The action does not transfer ownership to the town, and Jack emphasized the town’s legal position: the proceeding creates authority to remediate hazards and a mechanism to recover costs but does not itself create owner liability for town actions. The council’s vote initiates a formal, scheduled path to address public-safety risks tied to the structure.