The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Former Moose Lodge deemed public nuisance
The former lodge on Genesee Street is collapsing, with one wall fallen over onto the driveway.
ONEIDA, N.Y. » The former Moose Lodge on Route 5 was the topic of discussion at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.
Despite the owner of the 409 Genesee St. property not being present, nor a representative, councilors agreed to hold a public hearing to discuss the former lodge.
Firefighter and code officer Travis Krol represented the Oneida Fire Department and the findings made on the property. Fire Marshal Timothy Cowanwas unable to attend due to illness, and the Assistant Fire Marshal Dennis Fields was out of town.
“The property has a lot of major structural damage. One of the exterior walls fell out into the driveway, there are amassive amount of holes in the ceiling, the insulation is all on the ground, and there’s extensive water damage through the building.” Krol said.
City Attorney Nadine Bell confirmed that the notice declaring the building unsafe was received March 5.
Krol said the city has attempted to contact the former lodge’s owner six times.
Bell asked Krolwhat the recommendation of the firemarshal was for 409 Genesee St.; Krol said it should be demolished.
There have been prospective buyers for the property as recently as Jan. 15, but to date, the assistant fire marshal has not received any copies of purchase offers.
“Is the property posted now?” Ward 2 Councilor Mike Bowe asked. “There’s a liability there
that’s unsecured. Where does that put us as far as liability? Is it all on the property owner?”
“It’s not like the building is right next to Main Street and can fall on the street, a car or a person,” Ward 5 Councilor Jim Chamberlain said.
“I’m just saying that if the property owner does nothing, there’s a hazard that the city knows of that we need to do something,” Bowe said. “But if we’re not legally bound, we’re not legally bound.”
Bell said city code dictates that if the owner or other representative fails to repair or remove the structure in the time provided, the Common Council may call for the repair or removal of the building. That cost would be a lien against the property and collectable in the same manner as taxes.
“It doesn’t say that the council can claim the property, it’s either repair or de- molish,” Bell said. “Although that may seem nitpicking, when you’re taking action on private property and assessing the cost, I’d submit that it’s better to follow the letter of the law as specific as possible.”
Councilors declared 409 Genesee St. a public nuisance. Within 30 days, the property owner or representative must provide a plan of action to the fire marshal’s office, whether it be to re-mediate or demolish the building. The property owner then has 30 days to followthrough on their plan.
“In the event that corrective action does not happen, Common Council may authorize the fire marshal to undertake any and all measures as necessary,” Bell said.
Chamberlain said demolishing would be the best course of action to take care of the former lodge.
“Once it opened up to the elements, it let in the weather, animals and birds,” Chamberlain said. “I wouldn’t put a nickel into the place other than to get rid of it.”