Norwich to board up former YMCA building again

Norwich — City Public Works Department crews were called once again to the former YMCA building on Main Street on Wednesday, after volunteers working on the annual statewide homeless count Tuesday night discovered an unsecured door at the rear of the building.

Volunteers for the homeless count found a board removed that had been placed to secure a rear door, and the door was unlocked, city Director of Human Services Lee Ann Gomes said Wednesday.

Inside, the volunteer team found shoes, clothing, toys and discarded food. Gomes said the items all were wet and moldy, and appeared to have been there for a while. No one was

found inside the building.

Gomes said she contacted the city Public Works Department on Wednesday morning.

Public Works Director Ryan Thompson and Streets and Parks Division Supervisor Angelo Yeitz said the building at 337-341 Main St., is owned by the defunct YMCA of Southeastern Connecticut.

Although the city doesn’t own the building, last fall, city police asked the Public Works Department to clear the rear area of the building of overgrown brush and debris — including two mattresses — to improve visibility for patrols seeking to stop narcotics activity, Yeitz said.

“It’s a regular call for us,” Yeitz said.

Thompson said his crews don’t check the building, but respond to calls from city agencies when problems arise.

Public works officials also asked police to check the building for possible occupants before sealing up the doors.