Three Sanford Properties Judged Dangerous Buildings

62 Twombley Rd.

Photo: City of Sanford

By Renée Morin

At the City Council meeting March 19, three properties, determined by Code Enforcement to be abandoned, were adjudged to be Dangerous Buildings under the state definition.

62 Twombley Rd.

During August of 2023 notices of violation were sent twice to the owner for an overgrown lawn. The house on the property has had no water service and has been uninhabited since November 2023. The building has damage to the roof, windows, doors, and siding, along with trash around the property. Community Development Director Ian Houseal called the building “unsecure” and “unsanitary.” The property owner has left, and no heir or personal representative has claimed it. Between 2019 and 2024 multiple police calls were made to the property and neighboring land, ranging from suspicious activity, to suspected drug use, to homelessness, to noise complaints.

41 Emerson St.

Photo: City of Sanford

41 Emerson St.

41 Emerson St. has been uninhabited since 2018. The building on the property currently has no water, and no electrical service. Additionally, the building displays visible signs of rot, including on the door, which was left ajar. The building is missing paint and side insulation and has growth on the roof. Notices of Violation were sent to the property owner in 2020 and 2024. The violations included: an abandoned vehicle on the premises, broken window and door frames, broken exterior lights, unsafe stairs missing handrails, and accumulated trash and debris scattered around the property.

51 Pleasant St.

Photo: City of Sanford

51 Pleasant St.

A notice of violation was sent to the property owner in 2018 for a bed bug infestation, having no rental license, lacking heating and bathroom facilities in one of the units, having no secondary means of escape in a bedroom, and an absence of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Another notice was sent to the owner in 2019 for continued and new violations, including no guardrails, GFCI, or lighting at exits. New wiring had been done without a permit, and some of the wiring was exposed and without separation between the mechanical and heating systems. The back stairwell, deck, and basement windows were all in a state of disarray. Finally, there was trash, unfinished drywall, and objects blocking the egress. In the same year, the property was assigned an order to vacate, and has been uninhabited since at least December 27, 2019. However, police calls were made to the property for disturbances and trespassing between 2019 and 2023.

Owners of the above properties have 30 days to come forward with a rehabilitation plan to be approved by Code Enforcement. If this does not take place, the city will take steps to address the issues.