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31A-331 97 Vernon St complaint draft8/31/2016 City of Northampton Mail Fwd: Hello, about some issues at 97 Vernon St. Construction site https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/?ui=2&ik=ec5f19a57e&view=pt&search=inbox&th=156e0ee6b15ce53a&siml=156e0ee6b15ce53a 1/3 Louis Hasbrouck <lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov> Fwd: Hello, about some issues at 97 Vernon St. Construction site 2 messages Carolyn Misch <cmisch@northamptonma.gov>Wed, Aug 31, 2016 at 10:08 AM To: Louis Hasbrouck <lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov>, Charles Miller <cmiller@northamptonma.gov> Louis Not a good start. I have several concerns raised by the neighbor particularly considering the builder's past violations and disregard of regulations. We need to ensure that the driveway is pitched inward toward the property and not pitched to the north. We should also should ensure that the drainage will not create erosion at the rear flowing onto the property fronting Federal. They may need to install a swale and prove that more flow is not going offsite than current conditions. This also reinforces the need for post foundation survey and perhaps for driveway location too. Carolyn Misch, AICP Senior Land Use Planner/Permits Manager City of Northampton Office of Planning & Sustainability 210 Main St, Room 11 Northampton, MA 01060 4135871287 cmisch@northamptonma.gov www.northamptonma.gov/plan Forwarded message From: Smith Mehammed <mehammed@gmail.com> Date: Tue, Aug 30, 2016 at 11:23 PM Subject: Hello, about some issues at 97 Vernon St. Construction site To: cmisch@northamptonma.gov Dear Carolyn, I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m the person who lives at 93 Vernon who came with his folks a few years ago to talk about dividing my lot and selling the vacant parcel of land. I first sold the new lot in late 2014, and it has since changed hands twice. I’m writing to you on the suggestion of one of my neighbors, to alert you to some problems, and also to ask what us neighbors’ rights and possible recourses are in such a situation. 8/31/2016 City of Northampton Mail Fwd: Hello, about some issues at 97 Vernon St. Construction site https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/?ui=2&ik=ec5f19a57e&view=pt&search=inbox&th=156e0ee6b15ce53a&siml=156e0ee6b15ce53a 2/3 The construction started late last week, and no permits were posted, nor was any warning given to those immediately abutting the property (myself and Julie Hooks on the other side), which I thought was required. The builder, Ronnie Bercume, introduced himself to me by asking if I was partial to my wood fence: I said I was very partial and did not want it damaged during construction. My next interaction with him was when he started digging and knocked on the door, talking to my partner, to ask if he could remove and raise my fence (no), and then he asked if he could dump the excavated soil on my property (no). For the last two days the builders and concrete crew have started making noise as early as 6 30 am during set up and getting their trucks and tractors ready. They started at 7 am on Sunday, which I didn’t know was allowed. Multiple times, Bercume has blocked my driveway without asking (I have photos of the last time it occurred), and trespassed onto my property without asking. The sidewalk has been destroyed in front of the parcel, and chipped on the left side of my driveway. I brought these issues to his attention, and he lost his temper telling me I should not complain because I sold the lot way back when. He said that I should stay out of his way, and he’ll stay out of mine (if only). I asked if he cared about the law, and he said, go ahead and complain, see what happens. So I am. The neighbors on Vernon are upset about the noise that starts before seven, that persists on weekend mornings, and are going to send a letter/petition. The other issue I’m concerned about is the slope/grade on 97 Vernon. While we were still on speaking terms, Bercume told me that the driveway would extend along my fence all the way to the back of the property, and that it would be 4 feet high in comparison with the base of my fence, while only 18 inches away from it. I cannot imagine that such a driveway would remain secure, so I looked up the plans at the Building department on monday, and saw that the driveway takes a slight dip as it progresses through the property, but this dip does not seem to be significant enough so that the soil levels out at my property line. Since I am no architect or engineer, I’m wondering if you could look at the plans (which I’m attaching here) and tell me whether you can tell if 97 Vernon will be much higher slope wise than my land, with possibilities of soil erosion and spilling? I’m also wondering where all the snow will go and if it will necessarily be pushed onto my property/fence. Separately, I know that the builder has asked the neighbor on the other side, Julie Hooks, if she can cut down and trim trees that will shade the terrance he plans to build. I know that, if the trees are on my property but stretch out over to my neighbor, my neighbor has the right to cut what overextends into their property, but am I obliged to do that cutting/trimming on my neighbor’s behalf if they ask? I apologize for the long email but wanted to alert you to all that is going on, and to find out what avenues if any there are to file complaints, Thanks for listening, Mehammed Mack 93 Vernon St. 10 attachments 2016810_vernon_stA0.pdf 181K 2016810_vernon_stA1 F F) (2).pdf 480K 2016810_vernon_stA2 F F) (3).pdf 378K 2016810_vernon_stA3 brace.pdf 280K 2016810_vernon_stA4 elev (2).pdf 264K 2016810_vernon_stA4 elev.pdf 434K 2016810_vernon_stA5_1SECT (2).pdf 315K 2016810_vernon_stA5SECT.pdf 8/31/2016 City of Northampton Mail Fwd: Hello, about some issues at 97 Vernon St. Construction site https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/?ui=2&ik=ec5f19a57e&view=pt&search=inbox&th=156e0ee6b15ce53a&siml=156e0ee6b15ce53a 3/3 298K 2016810_vernon_stF1.pdf 378K 2016810_vernon_stL1SITE.pdf 324K Louis Hasbrouck <lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov>Wed, Aug 31, 2016 at 11:23 AM Draft To: Carolyn Misch <cmisch@northamptonma.gov> Carolyn, DRAFTTTT I don't know if you heard from Chuck, but we're paying a lot of attention to this job. We required an asbuilt survey for the foundation because the house is very close to the setback. The contractor had the surveyor out to stake the foundation, the surveyor will survey the concrete forms and submit the asbuilt once the foundation is in. Chuck sent the plans to the neighbor. The contractor has been in touch with the neighbor about the project. I understand the neighbor's concerns. Runoff is something we can address and we'll make sure the contractor know that water needs to stay on the property. We'll also make sure the contractor understands the 7:00 noise regs. Sunday work needs a PD permit; we'll let the contractor know and tell the neighbor that he can call the police. I'll let DPW know about the sidewalk; I'm sure they'll make sure it's fixed. Snow against the fence, trees and boundry line disputes are beyond our purview. Louis Hasbrouck Building Commissioner City of Northampton Town of Williamsburg (413) 5871240 office (413) 5871272 fax [Quoted text hidden]