Three dilapidated houses on Point Road and County Road will soon know their fate after the three-member Marion Board of Survey met January 5 to discuss the findings from board members’ visits to the properties. The function of the board is to assess unsafe or unsound structures and make recommendations to the Town as to whether or not the houses should be demolished.
“If it’s not safe for the town inspector, or the Fire Department … or Police Department to go in, then that’s sort of the threshold there,” said newly-elected Chairman Robert Desrosiers.
Board member and School District Facilities Director Gene Jones described 974 Point Road as rotten and open to weather and animals, with collapsing walls and a lot that was overgrown with vegetation and littered with trash.
“I found the same thing when I went there,” said Desrosiers. Sagging walls, water damage, and ceilings collapsing, he added to the description.
The board members discussed the language for their recommendation to the Town, deciding to advise that the house be “renovated, boarded up, or razed.”
Some properties, according to Desrosiers, do not merit a recommendation of renovation, but sometimes a structure, such as this one, might not have passed the point of no return.
“[Renovation is] still possible for someone, I suppose,” said Desrosiers.
Jones said two neighbors came out to speak with him while he was onsite, concerned about their kids’ safety near the house.
“I completely agree,” said Jones. “Just walking around that property is dangerous.” He added that the interior of the house is open and accessible to trespassers.
“The Fire Department has already tagged that one,” said Desrosiers.
Jones suggested the board “be firm” with its decisions, “And get the property owner to counter,” said Jones.
The Town must have the official findings and recommendations from the board before it can proceed with boarding up unsafe structures or razing them, with a lien subsequently placed on the property.
The board turned to 1023 Point Road, another house with its roof rotted, outside shingles stripped away, and cellar open to the elements and animals. Desrosiers called this property “very dangerous,” referring to photos and commenting that the house was in such bad shape it looked like it had demolished itself.
“I actually went into the house,” said Desrosiers. “Ugh.” Water, he said, was leaking from the ceiling and the floor was squishy and soft.
The board made a note to include the outbuilding, a shed that was also rotting itself down to the ground and unsafe to remain.
“I think the easy one for all of us is 525 County Road,” suggested board member and Marion Fire Chief Thomas Joyce. “Even getting into the property is dangerous.” Chief Joyce said this property has been an issue for quite some time now, even before Scott Shippey entered the role of Marion Building Commissioner.
Joyce said the chimney was leaning and the roof had detached from it. Jones suggested having a large tree limb hanging on the property cut down, as its fall is imminent and he was concerned about kids playing nearby.
“I call that one a total structural collapse,” said Desrosiers of the County Road house.
The Marion Board of Survey will meet again at 3:00 pm on January 12 at the Marion Police Station to finalize the wording of its recommendations and take a final vote.
By Jean Perry
