Village to clean up damaged buildings

By TOM RUE

MONTICELLO - Following a trend which Monticello has seen over recent years -- which has taken on fresh vigor with the country-wide Sullivan First program -- village officials heard a report on March 3 from code enforcement officer James Artale about steps necessary to clean up or demolish unsightly and dangerous buildings.

Artale described seven addresses in the village whose owners have been notified to remedy violations.

Most of the premises, Artale said, were damaged by a November tornado or by heavy snowfalls last year. None of the owners replied to recent correspondence, Artale told the board. After sending a third notice, he added, a public hearing will be held at the next board meeting regarding the problems, to be followed by a final notice to the owners.

Those who still fail to reply could face demolition, which would be put out to bid, with costs then be applied to property tax bills, Artale explained. Failure to pay taxes can lead to government taking the property.

Properties in question include 38 and 41 Cottage St., 61 Pleasant St., 44 Liberty St., 9 Roosevelt Pl., 38 High St., and 12 1/2 Starr Ave., Artale said.

Sewer infiltration study

Consulting engineer Glenn Smith reported on plans to reduce infiltration of storm water runoff into village sewers, as initially proposed more than a year ago. The first step, Smith said, will be to check over 380 village manholes for leaks, to be followed by pumping blue smoke into the sewers. After identifying "hot spots," he said, dyed smoke in basements will pinpoint those who pump runoff into the sewers. Officials will then "dialog with particular homeowners" who may be pumping illegally, Smith said.

An estimated 200 houses and business will be targeted for smoke tests, he said. Smith said the problem was especially bad in 1996, which he called "one of the wettest years in the century."

Mayor James Kenny noted the project will be funded by two grants from the U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in order to reduce wasteful processing costs at the village's sewage treatment plant.

Board members rescheduled their next meeting from St. Patrick's Day to Tuesday, March 18, at 7:00 P.M.

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