Marcisso property may be condemned

NORWAY — Ignoring the Code Enforcement Officer and the ordinances of the Town of Norway will result in revocation of occupancy permits and could ultimately result in the condemnation of the building as the owner of 9 King Street is soon to discover.

Vincent Marcisso DBA Western Highlands LLC, who owns the multi-unit building on King Street, appeared before the planning board during a public hearing August 9.

Norway Code Enforcement Officer Joelle Corey-Whitman told the board about the long history of problems at 9 King Street, regarding non-compliance with the Norway Rental Ordinance.

The property has been the subject of complaints and non-compliance since Corey-Whitman did an annual inspection in February of 2011. Consequently, the building's occupancy permits were pulled making it illegal for tenants to remain. However, some are still in residence. Corey-Whitman noted that to remove them, she would have to begin the lengthy eviction process.

"Right now, I am willing to give this 30 more days to get repaired," she said, recommending the board give Marcisso another 30 days to come into compliance. The board agreed to do so.

Last Thursday, 35 days later, Corey-Whitman told the planning board that Marcisso had not completed any of the requisite work and has stopped communicating with her.

"None of the egress issues have been addressed," she said, "there is no lighting in the common hallways or stairs, the bulkhead is not fixed, railings have not been installed, the stairway's not fixed."

These are but some of a long list of health and safety issues that make the building unsafe to be lived in.

Currently, noted Corey-Whitman, there is a young family with an infant living on the first floor and a tenant on the second.

The family is actively searching for a new apartment. The second-floor tenant, however, has lived there for five years and does not want to move. According to Corey-Whitman, the tenant says a Common Ties inspector has passed the unit, apparently ignoring the problems with health and safety.

However, according to Common Ties, the unit was failed and the tenant needs to relocate.

Corey-Whitman asked the board to suspend the occupancy permit for 9 King Street and recommend the board of selectmen proceed with condemnation of the property.