Brockport's 'Red-tagged' house re-opened

A house at 141 Holley Street in Brockport village that was closed for various code violations in September was re-opened, Code Enforcement Officer Scott Zarnstorff reported at the October 21 village board meeting.

"The owner complied with the minimum standards," Zarnstorff said. "The house was reauthorized to be re-occupied on October 18. The owner did a tremendous amount of work to get the house up to code."

Even though the house was re-opened, Zarnstorff said there are still occupancy issues that need to be addressed.

Six occupants were displaced as a result of the police and code enforcement investigations. Officers were originally called to the home for complaints of an underage party being held.

Zarnstorff and his staff have spent the past month, he said, working with the police department in their efforts to deal with house parties. "If the police enter a house with conditions that seem to warrant our review, we are called in," Zarnstorff said.

Zarnstorff said that the efforts of the police department to crack down on illegal, underage drinking parties and the code enforcement officer's inspections of properties that boast hazardous conditions are making living conditions better in the village. "The word is out and our efforts are paying off," he said.

Mayor Josephine Matela told board members that Zarnstorff is called out in the middle of the night when police feel there is a code issue to be addressed.

Zarnstorff is working with village attorney Ed Riley to coordinate court and appearance dates for property owners facing code violation issues.