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Town staff reports progress on property enforcement, issues permit for Smith building
Summary
Town staff told the board it issued a building permit for the Smith property, is inspecting multiple derelict properties, and is pursuing compliance letters and a filed lawsuit for repeat violations; staff flagged an obstructed fire hydrant as a safety concern.
Town staff reported issuance of a building permit for the Smith property and said the owner, Terry Smith, has been working on the site almost daily as exterior and interior remodeling continues. "I did go ahead and issue that building permit for the Smith property," staff told the board, adding the permit will allow the owner to store materials inside a newly built structure while rehabbing the existing building.
Staff also summarized enforcement activity across several parcels. A staff member said they are coordinating access to inspect four properties owned by a person referred to in the discussion as "Grizzy" and that certified letters not picked up will be hand-delivered. The same staff member said the town has begun a lawsuit against the Schulties property owner after repeated uncollected notices.
On immediate public-safety concerns, staff described a large piece of metal blocking access to a hydrant behind an old restaurant and asked that the obstruction be removed so emergency access is maintained. "There's a big piece of metal that's blocked behind," staff said; the board agreed the hydrant must be accessible.
The board reviewed recent purchaser communications. A new buyer contacted the town and their realtor said the buyers plan to clean the parcel but have other properties ahead of it; staff noted a letter sent June 25 set a compliance deadline of July 15 for 112 West Street and recorded that a contacted party said they would complete work by August 15. Staff emphasized the town is tracking timelines for violations and requested guidance on legally precise wording for fines and notices.
The board discussed site-specific work: weeds have been cut on a town lot and contractors are preparing quotes to remove branches, extend a driveway to the existing gravel, and bring in fill material. Vehicles removed from another lot and some exterior cleaning was reported; staff said they will follow up with contractors and may use town crews to finish removal of remaining items.
No formal votes or motions were recorded on enforcement actions during the session. Staff said they will continue inspections, hand-deliver uncollected certified letters, and look up ordinance language that might apply to structures that straddle jurisdictional boundaries.
