The Plympton Board of Health met on Tuesday, Jan. 24, spending much of the meeting speaking with Atty. Tim Frawley, representing the owner of two Center St. properties, 157 and 163.
The Board detailed their concerns about the properties owned by Dana Chiles, starting with 157 Center St. Chairman Art Morin said the board was looking for an update on that property’s manure piles, rats, and housing code violations. The Board also noted the owner is behind on his promises to fix several violations at the property. Health Officer Cathleen Drinan told Chiles’ attorney, “You will be ordered again to have the septic system inspected.”
Town Council wants this inspection done as well, Drinan said. Atty. Frawley told the board they are going to get the Title V inspection as required.
Health Administrative Assistant Cathy Ferguson reminded Frawley that the Title V inspector needs to see the Board of Health first. “Please keep in mind that whoever they decide to do the inspection must come to me or they will receive a $1000 fine.”
Frawley addressed other concerns the Board has cited, including smoke and C02 alarms. Health Officer Drinan however was not happy with the progress, citing broken contracts and missed deadlines getting the property up to code.
Drinan and the rest of the Board reiterated that the property will go into default if proper inspections and repairs were not completed by Friday, Jan. 27, 2017.
The Board of Health deemed the property at 163 Center St. unfit for human habitation on Dec. 12, 2016. Frawley said he was at the property the other day and it “seemed like a nice place.” He said he believed many issues had been already addressed.
Procedural issues took up a lot of the discussion though. Atty. Frawley took issue with the term “unfit for human habitation.” He said, “This property was first inspected on Dec. 12 and at that time was deemed unfit. However, there was no notice,” Frawley said; and no inspection report given until three weeks into the New Year.” He went on to say that the CMR (Code of Massachusetts Regulations) has very specific protocol about notice being given on inspections and notifications of violations.
Drinan said that this however wasn’t a full inspection. “I honored the request of the tenant’s attorney and came back with the building inspector,” Drinan said. This was for the full inspection. A letter was sent to Chiles Jan. 17, after the inspection. Drinan said she made this request due to lack of faith in the owner.
Chairman Art Morin said the Board of Health has had problems with Chiles in the past. Morin said, “I think the board experience has been very frustrating to try to get a letter to Mr. Chiles. We have grounds, we have history there…He lost 44 Prospect (Road) to an auction today. By the way, he can’t dump trash on that property anymore.”
Morin and the board expressed frustration with the owner. “All we’re looking for are things to be taken care of. I don’t think that is a big deal.”
The board wants repairs, Morin said, “If you got a broken, window fix it,” Frawley said he understood, but the property is a business and is being kept in good condition. It has horse stables and a viewing area open to the public.
Cathleen Drinan disputed the fact that the property is in good condition and maintained there was an issue with rotten windows. Drinan said although they were fixed, they were done poorly. “The new window sills are actually preventing the windows from being closed.”
Frawley told the board that there have been a lot of repairs done since Drinan last visited the property. Morin said that if this is the case, they should schedule an inspection with the building inspector.
Morin noted that illegal trash dumping on 44 Prospect Rd. should end as the property sold at auction for $220,000 and is going to be taken care of. However, if it’s not, the police will be called.
The next Board of Health meeting is Feb. 7.