Commission allows one‑meeting demolition for unsafe house at 125 Southwest Street

Town of Easton code enforcement presented a court order authorizing demolition of a hazardous structure at 125 Southwest Street and asked the Historic District Commission to allow the demolition to proceed after one meeting because of life‑safety concerns.

"My name is Nicholas Ewing and I work for the town of Easton in code enforcement," Ewing told the commission, explaining the judge allowed the town to demolish the property after the owner failed to provide a structural analysis or make repairs. Ewing said the town will need to follow a bid process for demolition contractors and asked the commission for an appropriate finding so work could proceed.

Commissioners discussed precedent and the need to include the finding in the motion in case of appeal. A motion that life‑safety concerns justified handling the demolition in one meeting was moved, seconded and passed by unanimous voice vote. Commissioners and staff noted similar unsafe properties are likely to come before the commission in the future.