Inspection Followup 12-27-2018 •
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'-R, TOWN OF YARMOUTH
o BUILDING DEPARTMENT
y 1146 Route 28, South Yarmouth, MA 02664
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December 27, 2018
Ms. Katherine D. Douglas
46 Camp Street
West Yarmouth, MA 02673
Re: 46 Camp Street Basement Use
Dear Ms. Douglas:
On November 7,2018 Building Commissioner Mark Grylls and I met with Tina Sylvester in our office
to discuss the reason this department had issued its latest Building Code Violation Ticket with a$1,000
fine. At the conclusion of that meeting arrangements were made for Housing Inspector Kevin Hook and
me to conduct an inspection of the house.
On November 8,2018 we met with you and conducted an inspection of the basement areas and garage.
As a follow up, on November 30, 2018 we conducted inspections of the basement areas, garage and
upper level/main house areas. Tina Sylvester was present during that inspection. The following
observations and issues were discussed at the time of these inspections with you and Tina Sylvester:
-No Building Permit or Certificate of Occupancy for basement use.
-No bed was observed in the basement area.
-The finished area of the basement consists of a kitchen area with sink and electric range,full bathroom
and open area of which a portion was once was used for sleeping purposes. This open area contains a
desk and book storage. The electrical outlet located on the wall near the sink is not GFI protected.
-The finished area in the basement has two means of egress; one discharges via a door adjacent to the
kitchen. The stairs leading to this door has no required landing and no graspable handrail. I had a
discussion with Ms. Sylvester on some options to mitigate these conditions.
-The second means of egress is accessed via travel thni the unfinished portion of the cellar,ascending
stairs into the garage and discharging out rear exterior stairs. The existing stair system does not have a
required landing or a graspable handrail,contains open risers and variable riser height. Access to this
exterior door requires stepping up over a concrete curb at the top of the cellar stairs and stepping up
over another concrete curb to exit the exterior door. I suggested to Ms. Sylvester that a single platform
be constructed to mitigate this hazard.
-The garage is currently not used for the parking of vehicles; but used for storage. The storage as
observed obstructs free passage for exist discharge purposes and for accessing the main house area,via
a door at the kitchen.
Page 2-46 Camp Street, December 20, 2018
-A compatible smoke detector should be installed at the bottom of the stairs accessing the garage. One
exists on the opposite side of the door.
-The unfinished basement area and stairs leading to the garage,lack appropriate controllable lighting for
egress passage.
-The exterior stairs has no exterior light fixture.
-A Building Permit is required for finishing the basement and its use, constructing the landings as
described and for the rear exterior stair system.
-A Wiring Permit is required for the work described.
-A covenant was to be executed and recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds, stating the finished
basement area would not be used as a bedroom/sleeping purposes. This is a requirement because of the
septic system limitation.
Finally, it was understood these procedures would be complied with in a reasonable time frame.
However, neither, Inspector Hook or myself has ken contacted since the November 30, 2018
inspection. It is imperative these issues be addresfinediately. Therefore, Inspector Hook and I
would like to schedule a follow up inspection for January 16,2019. Please provide us with a time that
works for you or Ms. Sylvester. As noted, Building and Wiring Permits are required for the work
referenced herein.
Very truly,
James D. Brandolini,
Deputy Building Commissioner
cc: Mark Grylls, Building Commissioner
Housing Inspector Kevin Hook
Ken Elliott, Wiring Inspector
Bruce Murphy, Health Director
Certified Mail: 7014 2120 0004 1910 4602
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