One landlord, on Whalley, finally emptied that Dumpster and removed the bulk trash in the parking lot. After an inspector showed up, a homeowner on Bellevue Road finally shoveled the sidewalk. Meanwhile, a neighbor is keeping an eye on a Colony Road address to make sure a commercial truck doesn’t reappear in the driveway.
Such are the complaints that neighbors in the West Hills, Beaver Hills and Westville neighborhoods send to New Haven’s Livable City Initiative (LCI). LCI’s Elaine Braffman distributed a monthly update to management team members. The text follows:
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FROM: Elaine A. Braffman
Neighborhood Specialist
Police districts 2&10
RE: February Report
So far this has been a very rough winter. The snow accumulation is outrageous and I am hoping Mother Nature is deciding to be a bit kinder to New Haven and Connecticut residents. For information regarding closings, snow plowing and street parking bans you should call the city’s information line at 203-946-SNOW.
Please remember to shovel your sidewalks within 24 hours of when the snow has stopped falling. I know this is difficult, but it is necessary for the sake of public safety. I am requesting that un-shoveled sidewalks be called in at the LCI (front desk) at 946-7090. This type of call will be assigned to a public space inspector as soon as possible. Priority calls will come first, such as no heat. When possible, clear your roof of snow because many structures have had a roof collapse because of the weight. For residents that heat by oil, make sure you do not run out. If you are not on an automatic delivery system, check your tank. Most importantly, stay warm and safe.
The following information is a sampling of issues of concern, ongoing problems, along with new issues and those that have been resolved. Not all problems have been listed, but this will give you a good idea of what has been happening in various neighborhoods. I will be forwarding this information to WEB and the Westville/West Hills/West Rock management team, along with block watch members, neighborhood leaders, other individuals and various organizations. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at 946-7835.
24 Dickerman> The bank has been in contact with me after I placed numerous phone calls attempting to speak to someone regarding maintenance of the property. They have committed to maintaining the property and will be watchful over it.
34 Level St.>I received a phone call from a resident that lives nearby this property. She complained that the sidewalks had not been shoveled and children are walking in the street because of this. I called the contact for this closed health facility requesting they shovel and do at least bare minimum maintenance. Because of their financial difficulties and HUD in the near future taking over the property, he asked for help from LCI. I referred him to my supervisor Frank D’Amore to see if something may be worked out until HUD takes over.
123 Colony Rd.> Once again a tenant at this address has started parking his commercial truck in the driveway. I called the building department and reported this to the zoning division. The zoning officer called him and told him to desist with this practice. I checked the property and didn’t see the truck parked there at the time. A resident has told me he will keep an eye on this property for me.
Colby Court>I received a complaint that no snow plowing had been done within this complex. I reported this to the deputy at Public Works and since I passed along that information the complainant has told me the snow was removed.
60 Springside Ave.> I received a complaint regarding the owner of this complex having a plow remove snow from this property. Unfortunately the contractor pushed the snow into the street. I did have the caller report this to the LCI front desk so a public space inspector could go out and take a look. He would at that time make a decision as to what he will do to stop this practice in the future.
Judwin/Ray Rd.> I received a complaint that a man-hole lid was off. I reported this to public works department.
210 Bellevue Rd.> The owner has not done any shoveling at the city sidewalk. I requested an inspector try to get compliance by the owner to remove snow from the city sidewalk. That did happen and the sidewalk was shoveled.
64 Hubinger> The owner had not shoveled the city sidewalk. I requested an inspector try to obtain compliance. The owner did comply after the inspector made an on site visit.
181 Judwin Ave.> A truck was left on the street for months. A resident in the area called me about this issue. I called the Lieutenant in police district 2 and the truck was tagged and towed.
42 Birch Rd.> Chase bank owns this property. The owners have moved out and the bank has started maintaining.
223 Blake St.> I received a call regarding bulk being stored loose at the back of the property. I called Team Reality (the owner), and they have removed the bulk and placed a dumpster on site.
35 Beverly Rd.> The owner has come into compliance by shoveling the sidewalk.
315 Fountain St.> This is a bank owned property. The owners are out of the house and the bank has started to maintain.
320 Bellevue Rd.> The owners of this house are absentee landlords and there is very little maintenance going on. I have written a memo to the owners and have asked that they start taking care of their property if the tenants aren’t going to be more careful with garbage, bulk etc. So far I have not received any type of response. Right now there is little I can do because the snow is actually covering up all the flaws. I have a neighbor keeping their eye out and me informed.
374 Whalley Ave.>I received a complaint regarding this commercial property pertaining to accumulated garbage. I referred the caller to the health department.
40 Fairfield St.> LCI secured this property.
833 Whalley Ave.> I called the owner of this property and she had the dumpster emptied and bulk removed from her back parking lot.
Board of Zoning Appeals will be hearing to cases relevant to police districts 2&10.
223 Blake St.> The owners want to be allowed to add on a dormer.
108 Frederick St.> the owner is requesting a special exception for a flagg lot.
Any questions please call Gil Hawkins at 946-6375.
This completes my report. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call me at 946-7835.