CEO asks board to condemn rental units

Photo: Kayla Collins

TO BE CONDEMNED — On Friday, Town Manager David Holt said attorney Geoffrey Hole of Portland law firm Bernstein Shur advised Code Enforcement Officer Joelle Corey-Whitman that the town should go to court to condemn 168 Main Street, shown here, and evict the tenants, including the owner of the property, Patrick McInnis. 

NORWAY —  A multi-unit apartment building at 168 Main Street will be condemned and its tenants evicted, CEO Joelle Corey-Whitman said at the selectboard meeting October 18. 

On Friday, Town Manager David Holt said that attorney Geoffrey Hole of Bernstein Shur in Portland advised Corey-Whitman to go to Oxford County Superior Court to evict the owner of the building, Patrick McInnis, and his renters.

However, Holt said town officials have not decided whether to proceed with court action. 

The house at 168 Main Street has a history of code violations, said Corey-Whitman, including an electric system that has not been brought up to code. 

Corey-Whitman recommended that selectmen follow through with the condemnation of the building and evict the tenants as soon as possible due to the health and safety concerns of the building. 

A few weeks ago, selectmen tabled condemning the building under Corey-Whitman's suggestion to allow the owner, Patrick McInnis, to bring the units into compliance with the town's rental occupancy ordinance. 

Corey-Whitman told selectmen she met with McInnis earlier that evening and learned some repairs had been made, such as ceilings, but that major electrical deficiencies still exist. 

"It's to the point where tenants are even helping him make these repairs," said Corey-Whitman. 

"There are a lot of life safety issues, particularly with electrical," she said, including smoke detectors hardwired together, switches not grounded and excess items stored in the basement that make it difficult to access electrical boxes and other issues. 

Corey-Whitman said she was concerned about the safety of the tenants, including McInnis, who also lives in the building. She explained to selectmen that his unit isn't any safer than the other units. 

"What do we do with these tenants? If we say the building is unsafe, do we put them in a local motel for 30 days until they find some place to live?" she asked. 

On Friday, McInnis said he felt safe in his home, despite electrical problems. He said he's lived in the building for decades and does not want to leave. 

He also said he has a new electrician to begin making repairs immediately.

Although McInnis knows the town is on the verge of condemning the property, he admits that he continues to advertise for tenants who might be able to help make repairs.

McInnis said Friday that he received three calls that morning from people interested in renting space, but referred them to other landlords in town because of the town's latest developments with the property. 

He said that he hopes to get clearance from the town to make the units rentable one by one as repairs are made.