10D-046 Northampton Country Club 2012-01-04 Order
Commonwealth of Massachusetts City of Northampton DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS 212 Main Street ● Municipal Building Northampton, MA 01060 Walko Management, Inc. 135 Main Street
Leeds, MA 01053 January 4, 2012 Mr. Walko, I have been informed that you have discontinued monitoring services for the fire alarm system in your building. This is a violation of the
Massachusetts State Building Code. The code requires that: “Buildings and structures, and parts thereof, shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. Devices or safeguards which
are required by this code shall be maintained in conformance with the code edition under which installed. The owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance
of buildings and structures. To determine compliance with this subsection, the building official shall have the authority to require a building or structure to be re-inspected. The requirements
of this chapter shall not provide the basis for removal or abrogation of fire protection and safety systems and devices in existing structures.” The code further requires, in accordance
with M.G.L. c. 148, § 27A, that existing fire alarms or sprinkler systems be maintained unless written permission is obtained from the head of the Fire Department. It is my understanding
that you are in communications with the Northampton Fire Department concerning this requirement. I hereby declare your building, known as the Northampton Country Club, at 135 Main Street
in Leeds, Massachusetts as unsafe to occupy and that occupancy shall not be allowed until all fire protection systems are returned to operation and the building is reinspected by the
Northampton Building Department and a representative of the Northampton Fire Department. Violation of this order may result in fines or other penalties as allowed by the code. Thank
you for your cooperation in this matter. Please contact me if you have any questions. Respectfully, Building Commissioner City of Northampton lhasbrouck@city.northampton.ma.us cc Northampton
License Commission Northampton Fire Department