AUGUSTA — All the tenants are now gone from a four-unit apartment building on State Street that city officials recently deemed unsafe for living.
Officials had the first three apartments vacated early last week after a codes enforcement officer concluded that the decks providing the only access to the units were unsafe.
The remaining tenants in the ground-floor apartment were told Friday to find new housing and to be out by Monday.
“We told them we didn’t feel comfortable even allowing anyone on the premises with the condition of those decks,” Robert Overton, the code officer, said Tuesday.
The family, which had several young children and a dog, found a new home within walking distance of their old residence, Overton said.
He said some families still might have belongings on site, but he told them to limit their visits because of the decks. He said the 11 State St. building cannot be re-occupied until the decks are repaired and inspected and until the entire building is inspected for compliance with life and safety codes.
The owner, Kenneth Ouellette, has not responded to several messages left in recent weeks at his Monmouth home phone number.
Overton said Ouellette met with him and with Augusta Fire Chief Roger Audette last week about the property. Ouellette did not say what he planned to do about the building, Overton said.
Overton said city officials checked the condition of the decks after a visit to 15 Morton Place, which backs up to the property. The two buildings actually touch, he said.
City officials had boarded up 15 Morton Place months ago, and it was the target of a recent break-in. Code officers, public works crews and police were at that site when they noticed the condition of the other building’s decks.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
badams@centralmaine.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
