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Limmerick board authorizes bids to demolish condemned Three Division Road building after safety concerns
Summary
After months of complaints and a prior condemnation order, the Board of Select Persons authorized the code enforcement officer to solicit bids to demolish a hazardous structure on Three Division Road; the town will give the mortgage/property manager a final week to respond before awarding work.
The Limmerick Board of Select Persons on Dec. 30 authorized the town’s code enforcement officer to solicit bids to demolish a condemned house on Three Division Road after officials described structural hazards, biohazards and alleged nighttime activity at the site.
Stan Hackett, the town’s code enforcement officer, told the board the building was declared dangerous following a Nov. 3 public hearing and that statutory notice periods have expired: "the seven days expired, they have by law 30 days to appeal" and owners or interested parties had 21 days to retrieve personal belongings. He said testing and inspections show the home is filled with debris and that access is severely restricted, raising safety concerns for first responders.
Hackett said the mortgage company and the property manager (Guardian) were given multiple opportunities to abate the hazards and had not done so: "the mortgage company did receive copies as well as the property management property." He recommended soliciting demolition bids so the town would be ready if the owner or mortgage holder did not act.
After discussion about enforcement options — including whether a court order was required — the board voted to authorize Hackett to obtain bids for demolition and to present those bids for selection next week. The vote followed a motion and second; the chair said the board would give Guardian until next week to respond before directing demolition.
Town staff said costs incurred by the town for demolition and cleanup would be assessed against the property and recovered through a tax lien process if necessary. Hackett emphasized the board’s legal obligations and liability risks if the town failed to follow statutory procedures before demolition.
The board left open two procedural paths: pursue immediate administrative demolition under the condemnation order if abatement does not occur, or seek a court order to take possession. The board did not name a contractor at the meeting; Hackett was authorized to solicit bids and return recommendations to the board for formal award.
The board’s authorization to solicit bids was recorded during the public meeting on Dec. 30. The town’s next step is to receive bids and determine whether the mortgage company or property manager will undertake remediation prior to any demolition activity.
