By CHRIS FROST
Eagle Times News Editor
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Three dilapidated structures have been identified for immediate repair or worse, according to the Springfield Select Board.
The properties at 52 Valley and 67 Furnace streets were deemed inhabitable with an immediate need to be vacated and demolished. The property at 105 Clinton Street was ordered to be vacated and repaired.
The Unsafe Building Committee visited the properties.
Board Chair Kristi Morris asked about 52 Valley Street, and Town Manager Jeff Mobus said they had reports from the engineer, fire chief and deputy health officer.
“For 52 Valley, the property condition is considered dangerous because of faulty construction, decay, a lack of proper repair, or in any other cause is susceptible to fire and constitutes or creates a health hazard,” said Mobus. “Also, by hazard of faulty construction or any other cause is liable to cause injury or damage by collapsing.”
The property has attached parts that may fall and injure the public.
“It’s dilapidated, ruinous, decayed, filthy, abandoned, unstable, or infested with vermin or dangerous, and constitutes a material menace for danger to adjacent properties or the public,” he said. “This property has interior walls that list, lean, or buckle that if someone passes through the center of gravity.”
Board Vice Chair Mike Martin thinks the property on Valley Street is the only bridge structure, which was a decent home when it was constructed.
“Does this building have any historic value, being an old brick building on that street,” he asked.
Mobus commented that the town’s attorney was raised at the property.
“It was his ancestral home,” Mobus said. “I believe it was a larger building, and things have been demolished on either side.”
Board Member Walter Martone asked if the property falls within the flood area on Valley Street.
“That means if it’s torn down, it can’t be rebuilt, or there are limitations on what can be built there,” he asked.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Chuck Wise said a 40-mile brook is situated in that section.
“It comes around the corner when it crosses the road,” he said. “You’re not using that funding source for flood hazard mitigation, which would not allow redevelopment. Redevelopment in a flood area is a little more complex, so it’s not clear if there will be an economic comparative on Valley Street to develop, given the developing difficulties in a flood area.”
Mobus said 67 Furnace Street is also abandoned, decayed, lacks proper repair, and is a fire hazard and a material danger to the public.
The property is vacant. The Clint Street property, though, is another story.
“The recommendation is for 105 Clinton Street to be vacated immediately and repaired so it will no longer violate the terms of the article,” Mobus said.
Mobus said 105 Clinton Street is also decayed, lacks proper repair, is susceptible to fire, and has the appearance of a biohazard.
“The recommendation is the building be reasonably repaired, so it will no longer violate the article,” he said. “In this case, it’s a vacate and repair recommendation.”
Martin asked if the building was secure and safe for the public and was told the building violated the unsafe buildings ordinance.
Resident Carrie Kellow said the house is at the corner of Clinton and Loveland Streets and has witnessed an open window facing Olive Street, which provides access to a bedroom.
“It appears to me that, potentially, people inhabit that building from time to time,” she said.
Deputy Fire Chief John Claflin said the owner feels the building is unsafe and shouldn’t be inhabited.
“There is currently someone in it, a squatter,” said Claflin. “I know we’ve had multiple complaints and health issues with rats and rodents in the area, and at one point, we had a sewerage issue. We were never allowed access to the structure to confirm any of that.”
The Unsafe Building Committee determines if a location is dangerous to the health, safety, and welfare of occupants or Springfield residents and should be ordered vacated. If a building is 50% damaged, decayed or deteriorated, it will be demolished.
The property owners have 10 days to appeal the decision. The town will remove the buildings in 90 days. The Select Board signed the orders and ordered unsafe buildings removed during its Monday, Jan. 22, meeting.
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