49 Round Hill Road Make safe Order 2016-08-24City of Northampton
Massachusetts
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS
212 Main Street ● Municipal Building
Northampton, MA 01060
INSPECTOR
James Hebert
Michael Siddall
Historic Round Hill Summit LLC
1776 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01103
August 24, 2016
Re: Rogers Hall 49 Round Hill Rd.
Dear Mr. Hebert and Mr. Siddall,
As a result of the fire on August 5, 2016, the building at 49 Round Hill Road in Northampton is
dangerous to life or limb and is unused, uninhabited and open to the weather. In accordance with the
Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR (the “Code”) section 116.3 and M.G.L 143 sections 6-10 (the
“Statute”), I am ordering that you remove it or make it safe.
You are hereby ordered to speedily make it safe or remove it or to make it secure. If you do not, the
city shall employ sufficient labor to do so.
I believe that the building can be made safe without being demolished. You must have a structural
engineer investigate and evaluate the building in accordance with the provisions of the Code. The
investigation and evaluation shall be in sufficient detail to ascertain the effects of the fire on the entire
building or structure and its foundation if impacted by the fire. The results of the investigation and evaluation,
along with a detailed description of any proposed measures to stabilize the structure and make it safe, shall
be submitted to this office in written report form. The report must also delineate a “Collapse Zone” around
the building.
You must promptly implement the engineer’s proposed measures to protect and stabilize the
building. Fencing, placed outside the collapse zone, must be in place and maintained to protect the public
and prevent unauthorized access. The debris from the upper floor deck must be removed. The remaining
roof structure must be removed if required by the investigation and evaluation. You must remove anything
not securely attached to the outside of the building. You must remove the debris from around the building.
If you do not act before 12:00 noon on August 26, 2016, I will take further action on this matter in
accordance with M.G.L 143 sections 8 and 9. I have included copies of the relevant sections of Code and
Statute.
You may appeal this order in accordance with M.G.L. 139 section 2.
Respectfully
Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
(413) 587-1240
lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov
cc:
Northampton Fire Department, Northampton Police Department, Northampton DPW, Mayor of Northampton,
Northampton Office of Planning, Crocker Builders