ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health is monitoring two unsafe housing conditions that pose public health risks to the tenants. 

 

At a meeting earlier this month, members reviewed two correction orders that had been issued in February.

 

Code Enforcement Officer David Rhinemiller issued the orders to 46 Maple St. and 71 East Hoosac St. Including weekends, the owners have 45 days to complete the repairs, he said.

 

The issues on both properties mostly stem from frozen or leaking pipes. 

 

"This season has been very rough for frozen pipes. There have been a lot of frozen pipes and a lot of water getting shut off," Rhinemiller said. 

 

"The frozen pipes are only the start of it. When they start breaking or pop the water meters, then the Water Department has to turn it off on the street, and then it's a $300 charge to get the water meter put back in place," he said. 

 

Board Chair Chair Kathy Hynes recommended that the town have an education campaign on how to prevent frozen pipes, such as heat tape and letting the water drip.

 

"No one wants to run the water because it increases the water bill. It's a catch 22," Rhinemiller said.  

 

The additional cost of water is not much, especially compared to the cost of needing to replace the piping, Hynes responded. 

 

The Maple Street property is a two-family home, built in 1880, that had the gas and water shut off because of broken piping, a septic leak, and limited access to the dwelling, restricting emergency access. The correction order was issued on Feb. 11. 

 

The Police and Fire Department inspected the home and assistant services, such as Council on Aging had been contacted, however, the senior residents are not responsive to getting help, Rhinemiller said. 

 

"So, we issued orders in regards to it. I don't know if it's going to go anywhere, but everybody's keeping an eye on her just to make sure they're doing wellness checks on a regular basis," he said. 

 

Being unable to flush the toilet is a major health concern, Hynes said 

 

"It's a huge health concern and just because somebody's doing welfare checks on her … she can still be exposed to disease," she said. 

 

The owner has been offered "all kinds of" aid from the Council of Aging, but she is not willing to take advantage of any of it, Rhinemiller said. 

 

"We've got to be proactive in our ability to help and show that we are because if something were to happen and we weren't proactive enough, it could come back and bite us," Hynes said. 

 

Hynes questioned whether it has been clearly communicated that accepting help is necessary, or the board will require them to move.

 

"If she's got any health issues, this could exacerbate them," she said.

 

The town could pursue the matter in Housing Court, but this would be a lengthy process, and the court might allow extra time for repairs, Rhinemiller said. 

 

The other property, 71 East Hoosac, is a rental unit that also had the water shut off because of broken piping, leaking septic piping, no hot water or central heating system, windows removed or missing, and a storm door missing. The correction order was issued on Feb. 18. 

 

The water flooded into the basement and had to be shut off in the street because the pipes were frozen and could not be turned off, Rhinemiller said. 

 

The Fire Department pumped the water out of the basement, and an electrician went in to disconnect the electrical equipment, as everything in the basement was underwater, he said. 

 

"It was a mess. [The tenant is] working on getting her straightened up," Rhinemiller said.