NEWFANE: Property code causes woes

By Bill Wolcott<br><a href="mailto:wolcottb@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Bill</a>
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

NEWFANE July 01, 2008 01:35 am

— Cheryl Livermore and her husband bought the vacated house at 2842 S. Main St. in 1999.
They took out loans and put more than $60,000 into the former Hudson family home that had not been lived in for more than 20 years, according to Cheryl Livermore. On June 17, town Justice Gayle S. Maynard told about 30 residents they were in violation of the State Property Maintenance Law and were obligated to complete the projects or come up with reasonable plans by July 15.
Livermore, who is now divorced and is living on Social Security, estimates siding, alone, will cost $6,000. That’s money the mother of two does not have.
“Some of the people have real small children. I don’t understand why they’re doing this,” Livermore said. “They’re giving me 30 days, and I’m just strapped. I have two kids (a son and granddaughter) in school. I don’t know what to do. I can’t get money to do the siding. I was crying so hard couldn’t see. I was heartbroken and crushed.”
John Sansone, Newfane’s new prosecutor for law enforcement, said homeowners can get more time. “There will be a case-by-case determination. All we did is set control dates to see how they are doing.” Sansone said. “There will be a reasonable time frame to make repairs and remedies. The judge told guidelines and what could happen.”
The Livermore house needs more work. They took out a home equity loan and have already made numerous improvements.
The interior of the house was dilapidated and had to be totally gutted. The doors and windows were replaced, as were the floors. The bathrooms were filthy and needed extreme makeovers.
“There was an 8-foot hole in the roof. It was rat-infested and animal-infested. The house was spray-painted. Vandals loved it,” Livermore said. “We put a lot of money into it.”
The greenhouse in the back was overrun and loaded with garbage. The family put up new drywall inside and put insulation on the outside walls in 2000. The outside is still exposed. The town is demanding new siding, according to Livermore.
Sansone is not allowed to discuss individual cases. “Newfane is doing a good thing cleaning troublesome property,” he said. “People were letting property go. The town board is serious about getting properties cleaned up.”
Livermore’s divorce complicated matters, and while her ex-husband pays $300 a month, the home will be in her name in 2009, she said. He lives in Albion.
Sansone said residents who are in non-compliance can work with the town. “My position is we have to get these properties in compliance,” he said. “Most people gave me a reasonable time frame. Some have already completed the work. The town just wants it cleaned up.”
If nothing is done, the owner can be fined; the town will do the work and assess it against the defendant.
Justice Gayle S. Maynard and Supervisor Tim Horanburg did not return phone calls. Douglas Nankey is the building inspector.
The majority of violations demand scraping, painting, fixing holes in roof, fixing railings on decks and cleaning up debris and rubbish.
“We are following our town codes that are written,” said council member Laura Rutland, who attended the town court hearing.
Contact reporter Bill Wolcott 439-9222, ext. 6246.

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