Shelton Mudslide: Who Will Pay?

The December mudslide on North Oak Avenue continues to have residual effects, as the city strives to determine who’s responsible and — more importantly — who’s paying.

Meanwhile, the physical situation has been essentially unchanged since the home at 161 North Oak Ave. was torn down on Dec. 18. 

A group of residents and city officials met in Mayor Mark A. Lauretti’s office Thursday evening to discuss the issues. 

Few concrete answers came from the meeting, but Lauretti outlined the steps the city is taking and neighbors expressed their continued concerns.

Background

On Dec. 15 a burst pipe at the vacant home at 161 North Oak Ave., causing water to pour down an embankment overlooking the Riverview Condominiums.

The mudslide brought down several large trees and boulders and left the home teetering on the edge of the cliff. 

FILE PHOTOThe city paid to demolish the home, which was deemed a safety issue and the Riverview Condominium Association had to pay to remove several large trees that could have fallen on the buildings below. 

Then, nothing happened for six weeks.

Remaining Issues

Two major things need to happen now:

- The pile of debris from the demolition needs to be removed.

- The end of the road needs to be stabilized.

But neither has happened yet because issues over property ownership and insurance policies cloud who will pay. 

The condo association’s insurance company has already denied a claim for $5,000 from the tree removal, said association president Jim Sidurok.

And the homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover a situation like the mudslide, Lauretti said, leaving the city exploring other options to get about $4,500 reimbursed for the demolition costs. 

Not My Property

Lauretti said the city had to fulfill our responsibility as we see it — and that’s to eliminate the public safety issue.”

That means, the home was demolished, but the city is being careful to evaluate whether it is responsible for any other portions of the project before spending tax dollars on it.

The homeowners were in the midst of foreclosure, but still technically owned the house when the mudslide occurred. 

Photo: Jodie MozdzerFurther complicating the process is that the mudslide occurred on a piece of land that is at the intersection of city property and property owned by the Riverside Condominiums. 

Lauretti said the condos own the retaining wall underneath the city road on North Oak Avenue, which needs to be stabilized. 

Sidoruk said the land maps on file with the association show different boundaries. 

Environmental Issues

Meanwhile, with the debris still sitting in the same spot. Neighbors are concerned about rodents and environmental issues arising. 

It’s not even the eyesore — that I could deal with,” said Tamara Egan, who lives at the house next door to 161 North Oak Ave. It’s what’s in there.”

The debris has been spreading around the property, after a tarp placed over it blew away, neighbors said. 

Residents in the Riverview Condominiums said they have seen debris fall down the hill and land in the brook behind the buildings. 

It’s not just a danger of things falling off the property,” Sidoruk said. It’s a concern about that river getting clogged up and flooding.”

I think it’s a danger to all of us,” Egan said. 

Next Steps

Now the city is seeking bids from engineering firms to evaluate the stability of the ground at the end of the road, and will hire an industrial hygienist to evaluate the costs of taking the demolition debris. 

The group will meet again in April to discuss next steps beyond that. 

No representative for the homeowners of 161 North Oak Ave. were present at the meeting. 

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