The condemnation of 230 Harris Street was the focal point of the board’s discussion. The property had been under scrutiny since October 2022 when initial complaints were made regarding unsanitary conditions and safety hazards. The board, in conjunction with inspectional services, emphasized the urgency of the matter due to the potential health risks posed by the property’s condition. Attorney Anthony Bronco presented evidence that the property owner failed to comply with required remediation efforts, including securing necessary permits for repairs.

Board members expressed concern over the lack of progress and communication from the property owner. It was noted that attempts to engage the owner in rectifying the issues were unsuccessful, save for a minimal plumbing permit application that did not address the broader scope of necessary repairs. The board underscored its responsibility to protect residents from unsafe living conditions and concluded that condemnation was necessary to prevent occupancy of the hazardous property.

In addition to the condemnation proceedings, the board reviewed the monthly reports of inspectional and public health services. Notably, there was an uptick in confirmed COVID-19 cases, consistent with national trends. The board announced initiatives for fall respiratory vaccine clinics, offering flu, COVID, and pneumonia vaccines to homebound residents and organizing a regional clinic in collaboration with neighboring cities.

Furthermore, the board highlighted collaborative efforts with the fire prevention team to promote safety awareness during Fire Prevention Week. Planned activities included multilingual public service announcements, school visits for fire safety education, and an open house event at Central Fire Station.