Brownsville property owner in court on nine citations for dilapidated properties
CONNELLSVILLE – Brownsville property owner Ernest Liggett was in court before District Justice Ronald Haggerty earlier this week regarding nine citations for dilapidated properties in Brownsville Borough. Haggerty dismissed two of the cases, but imposed fines and court costs totaling $17,119.50 on seven other cases. Neither Liggett’s attorney, Sean Audley, nor the borough’s attorney, James Davis, returned calls Wednesday. Liggett has in the past appealed cases in which he was found guilty of building code violations.
The citations were filed by the borough’s code enforcement officer between September and November. A fine of $7,700 was imposed for failing to maintain the roof of a building on Market Street, next to the Cast Iron Bridge. The citation was issued Sept. 23, after a second notice of violation that had been issued Aug. 2.
A $5,400 fine was imposed for failure to maintain or repair a collapsed roof at 17 Market St. The citation was issued Oct. 19, after a notice of violation issued Sept. 16. According to the citation, the structure is unsafe and repairs or demolition are required. Two other citations regarding that building were dismissed.
Haggerty imposed a $2,700 fine for failure to maintain windows and frames at 56 Market St. The citation was issued Nov. 16. The notice of violation was issued Sept. 28.
The magistrate also levied the following fines:
– A $100 fine for failure to cut weeds on property at Fifth and Church streets. The citation was issued Oct. 21 after a notice of violation issued Sept. 17.
– A $200 fine for failure to maintain or repair the porch roof at 422 Church St. The citation was filed Sept. 30, with a notice of violation issued Aug. 3.
– A $500 fine for problems with a roof, gutters and downspouts at 204 High St. The citation was issued Nov. 16, after a notice of violation was issued Aug. 2.
– A $200 fine for a defective porch roof at a former personal care home on Church Street. The citation was issued Sept. 30 after a notice of violation was issued Aug. 2.
Brownsville Borough Council a year ago established a board of review for property owners who receive notices of violations who want to challenge the validity of the violation after an attorney for Liggett noted that such a board is required under the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) code then being used by the borough.
The borough is now using the International Building Code, but still maintains a hearing board. According to borough officials, Liggett has not requested any hearings before the board.