The rear entrance to a house on King Street in Oxford that has been condemned for six years. Oxford will hold a public hearing Jan. 18, 2024 before taking action to have the building demolished. File photo
OXFORD — After consulting with the town’s attorney, Oxford’s Board of Selectmen voted to hold a public hearing on Jan. 18, 2024 on a dangerous building located at 260 King Street.
The town has been fielding complaints about the building going back at least a decade. Scheduling a public hearing will give the property owner an opportunity to answer why previous violations and agreements to make improvements were never resolved.
Following the hearing, selectmen will determine whether to follow a recent engineer’s inspection report that recommends demolishing the house.
James A. Thibodeau, professional engineer and president of Associated Design Partners, Inc. of Falmouth inspected the building on August 30, with owner Leon Morse, Code Officer Kingston Brown and Cpl. Zachary Bisson of the Oxford Police Department.
In a letter dated Sept. 28, Thibodeau advised Brown that the house was unsafe for several reasons, including risk of collapse, and should be condemned and demolished.
Thibideau wrote: “The property shown on Map U-6, Lot 11 … is unsafe for occupancy …. in imminent danger of collapse …, unsafe air quality issues (potentially toxic due to advanced states of widespread wood rot as well as mold and vermin contamination throughout …. This unsafe residential structure is not economically feasible for cleaning, repair, and or restoration.
“Accordingly, I recommend condemnation and demolition in accordance with [International Existing Building Code] Section 115 of the 2015 IEBC.”
The report included 100 photographs of the interior and exterior presenting extensive mold and water damage of the interior as well as personal items and furnishings, rotted timbers and long term rodent nests, feces and carcasses.
“Our attorney will conduct title searches and other due diligence,” Town Manager Adam Garland said. “Then notification will be sent to the owner advising of the public hearing.”
In the event Oxford moves forward and demolishes the building they will likely place a lien on the property to recover the expenses incurred in the matter.
The hearing will be held on Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. at the town office on Pottle Road.
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