Politics & Government

Inspections Continue for Code Violations

A Milford task force checking into housing conditions found multiple violations at several addresses in the Water and Oliver street neighborhoods.

The Neighborhood Task Force is local properties on streets that are the subject of frequent complaints, and will make this a weekly routine as many problems are being uncovered, said Town Administrator Louis Celozzi.

"We're discovering illegal apartments again," Celozzi said. "We're discovering all sorts of problems." Town residents, he said, have responded enthusiastically to the inspections, and are calling town offices with tips: "About time, thank you, and here's another one."

Dino DeBartolomeis, chairman of the Milford Selectmen, said "the landlords are quite upset with us," but the enforcement actions are needed.

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In some cases, he said, the inspectors have found faulty wiring, four to five unregistered vehicles in a yard, an unfenced pool, and exit ramps or steps that do not meet building codes.

"These are violations that are deplorable," DeBartolomeis said.

Find out what's happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Sept. 14, the task force — which includes representatives of the Department of Inspections, Board of Health, Fire Department and Police Department — visited portions of Water Street and the even side of Oliver Street, along with a few other sites.

Several properties were found to have violations of health, fire, building and/or zoning codes, according to John Erickson, the town's Building Commissioner, in a Sept. 20 report to

Each property owner has been notified of the violations in writing, and given a timeframe of up to 14 days to resolve the issues, Erickson wrote. In addition, he wrote, all of the property owners identified in the Sept. 7 site visits to Bancroft Avenue and Water Street have "all made contact with this office" and the town is "actively working" with them to resolve the issues.

According to the report, the following properties were found to have violations as of the Sept. 14 site visits:

  • 10 Cherry St., owner Xiaowei Yang, violations: building code, vacant and open to the weather.
  • 35 E. Main St., owner Felicio Lana, violations: building code (existing non conforming egress), zoning code (rooming house), health code (healthful housing regulation) and health code (abundance of refuse).
  • 28 Oliver St., owner Ana Cerqueira, violations: zoning (illegal dwelling units), building code (failure to obtain required inspections)
  • 4 Oliver St., owner Hyman Stramer, violations: building code (construction without permit, latent conditions, existing non conforming egress), zoning code (illegal contractor yard), health code (abundance of refuse).
  • 6 Oliver St., owner Hyman Stramer, violations: building code ( existing non conforming egress, unsafe accessory structure, broken window/open to weather) zoning code (illegal contractor yard) Hazardous electrical service, health code (abundance of refuse).
  • 28-30 Water St., owner Hyman Stramer, violations: building code (construction without permit, non conforming egress, latent conditions).
  • 32-34 Water St., owner Hyman Stramer, violations: building code (latent conditions).
  • 12 Oliver St., owner Hyman Stramer, violations: building code (certification of egress, existing non conforming egress) zoning code (illegal contractor yard), Hazardous wiring, health code (abundance of refuse).
  • 14 Oliver St., owner Hyman Stramer, violations: building code (existing non conforming egress) zoning code (illegal contractor's yard), hazardous wiring.

After receiving the update, selectmen said they wanted specifically to speak with Stramer, after noting he is the owner of six of the nine properties on the week's update.

Selectman Brian Murray said he wanted Stramer to come before the board to explain why he has allowed the properties to get into such a condition. "These are horrible, horrible living situations," Murray said.

On Wednesday, Stramer said he was in the process of addressing the violations. "All of the issues are being addressed," he said. "I am going to meet with the selectmen and address this thoroughly."

Stramer said he has a strong attachment to the town, and has always worked with its inspectors. He said he was unaware of some requirements, including that porches have to be inspected "every five years."

"I've always addressed every issue that's been brought to my attention."


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