PUTNEY — Following a public complaint, the town will begin taking steps to dismantle an abandoned building at 15 Gassets Rd.
The property is owned by the estate of Carl Bayard, who died in 2005.
Town Manager Cynthia Stoddard has received a complaint from a resident about the building, and she asked the Selectboard at the March 28 meeting to decide what to do about it.
Stoddard suggested demolishing the building and putting a lien on the property. Although she reported at the March 11 meeting that she has tried getting in touch with the estate's contact - Elizabeth Leiss of Wallingford, Conn. - she has received no response.
Stoddard said that although Health Officer Thomas Goddard “doesn't seem overly concerned with it falling into the road,” other concerns are “people getting hurt in it,” as the building seems to be occupied by squatters, she reported to the board.
Selectboard Chair Stephen Hed said he will seek an estimate from Erich Kruger, principal of Deconstruction Works, for dismantling the building.
Stoddard said once that data is received, she will send a certified letter to the Bayard estate, letting the heirs know “the town is moving ahead, and the financial responsibility is the owners.'”