(May 5, 2016) Homeowners on Harbormist Circle in Ocean Pines are concerned about a house that has apparently been abandoned for several years, and has become a nuisance to the neighborhood, collects trash and, neighbors say, poses safety risks to children.
Although there were no CPI (Compliance, Permits and Inspections) violations on the agenda during last Thursday’s OPA Board of Directors meeting, several residents spoke out, while board members mulled changes to the violation process.
Michael Petito sparked the discussion during public comments when he addressed a property at 44 Harbormist Circle. He said he sent photos of the property to the directors.
According to Petito, the property was in foreclosure.
“Nothing has been done to clean up that area,” he said. “It’s been there for over three years … and I’d like to find out what the progress is on it.”
He added that Director Jack Collins had visited the property, and that “pictures [don’t] do it justice. It’s a total disaster.”
Petito said other houses in the area are not much better.
“I live on a corner lot there and I’m surrounded by people that don’t clean up their lots. I’ve got 220 feet of drainage ditch that I’m constantly raking up. All their stuff winds up in my property,” he said.
Richard Kubiak, who lives on 45 Harbormist, also spoke out.
“If I were to come into the Pines today and look at my house – I would not buy my house [because] of the different properties around me and the way they don’t take care of their properties,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s an indictment on my neighborhood, the people who live in the home, or the association.”
Kubiak said he and Petito drafted a letter to the board asking to speak, but were not put on the agenda.
“I’m sort of disappointed in that,” he said. “I thought we did everything properly, following proper procedures and things like that. I don’t know what it takes to get your attention.”
When he tried to contact CPI directly several years ago to complain about the derelict properties, he said he experienced repercussions.”
“I’m disappointed in myself and my neighbors not being recognized for this,” he said. “Where I come from, in my background, if you’re remiss in doing something, you stand up and say, ‘Hey, I’m sorry.’”
Greer Grove, who lives at 41 Harbormist, said she looks out her window each day at a house that has been abandoned for three years.
“The house is not secured. There is a boat in the front yard that’s not secured and it’s growing weeds in it. I have two small children who often play outside, and all those things are a danger,” she said. “It’s just really about time somebody [does] something about it.”
Vice President Cheryl Jacobs said the directors must follow a specific procedure in pursuing violations. That said, she hinted there was a consensus among the directors that the process should be condensed.
“We are going to be working on that … we are definitely taking a look at trying to shorten that process to address these in a timely manner,” she said.
Director Jack Collins concurred, and praised those who spoke during the meeting.
“I’d like to compliment these two gentlemen for coming forward and letting this board know that there is a deficiency within the neighborhood. We depend upon input from each and every one of you to give us an idea as to what’s going on,” he said.
“No one should feel shy about expressing their point of view about an issue in their neighborhood or an issue that is important to them,” Collins added. “Whether it involved an amenity, whether it involves your home, whether it involves your neighborhood, you have every right to petition this board.”
He said he hoped the process was shortened and encouraged more people to speak out about issues they see.
“We’re your neighbor – we’re not against you,” he said. “We derive our direction from you … make us aware of what is important to you [and] what has to be corrected out there, so that we can take the necessary steps.
Director Tom Terry said he and Jacobs had already outlined ways to shorten the CPI process, but had been struggling with how to handle repeat offenders.
“Hopefully, we will be able to present to the board at the next meeting,” he said. “The other issue is the balancing act … we’ve been through the time when the [CPI] was the Gestapo, running around, changing people’s lives … the pendulum has certainly swung away from that.
“We, as a board, are going to have to give some direction around that,” Terry added. “Ultimately, some form of proactive oversight maybe something we need to talk about. Again, I don’t have the answer today, but we’re working on these kinds of things."
Although there were no CPI (Compliance, Permits and Inspections) violations on the agenda during last Thursday’s OPA Board of Directors meeting, several residents spoke out, while board members mulled changes to the violation process.
Michael Petito sparked the discussion during public comments when he addressed a property at 44 Harbormist Circle. He said he sent photos of the property to the directors.
According to Petito, the property was in foreclosure.
“Nothing has been done to clean up that area,” he said. “It’s been there for over three years … and I’d like to find out what the progress is on it.”
He added that Director Jack Collins had visited the property, and that “pictures [don’t] do it justice. It’s a total disaster.”
Petito said other houses in the area are not much better.
“I live on a corner lot there and I’m surrounded by people that don’t clean up their lots. I’ve got 220 feet of drainage ditch that I’m constantly raking up. All their stuff winds up in my property,” he said.
Richard Kubiak, who lives on 45 Harbormist, also spoke out.
“If I were to come into the Pines today and look at my house – I would not buy my house [because] of the different properties around me and the way they don’t take care of their properties,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s an indictment on my neighborhood, the people who live in the home, or the association.”
Kubiak said he and Petito drafted a letter to the board asking to speak, but were not put on the agenda.
“I’m sort of disappointed in that,” he said. “I thought we did everything properly, following proper procedures and things like that. I don’t know what it takes to get your attention.”
When he tried to contact CPI directly several years ago to complain about the derelict properties, he said he experienced repercussions.”
“I’m disappointed in myself and my neighbors not being recognized for this,” he said. “Where I come from, in my background, if you’re remiss in doing something, you stand up and say, ‘Hey, I’m sorry.’”
Greer Grove, who lives at 41 Harbormist, said she looks out her window each day at a house that has been abandoned for three years.
“The house is not secured. There is a boat in the front yard that’s not secured and it’s growing weeds in it. I have two small children who often play outside, and all those things are a danger,” she said. “It’s just really about time somebody [does] something about it.”
Vice President Cheryl Jacobs said the directors must follow a specific procedure in pursuing violations. That said, she hinted there was a consensus among the directors that the process should be condensed.
“We are going to be working on that … we are definitely taking a look at trying to shorten that process to address these in a timely manner,” she said.
Director Jack Collins concurred, and praised those who spoke during the meeting.
“I’d like to compliment these two gentlemen for coming forward and letting this board know that there is a deficiency within the neighborhood. We depend upon input from each and every one of you to give us an idea as to what’s going on,” he said.
“No one should feel shy about expressing their point of view about an issue in their neighborhood or an issue that is important to them,” Collins added. “Whether it involved an amenity, whether it involves your home, whether it involves your neighborhood, you have every right to petition this board.”
He said he hoped the process was shortened and encouraged more people to speak out about issues they see.
“We’re your neighbor – we’re not against you,” he said. “We derive our direction from you … make us aware of what is important to you [and] what has to be corrected out there, so that we can take the necessary steps.
Director Tom Terry said he and Jacobs had already outlined ways to shorten the CPI process, but had been struggling with how to handle repeat offenders.
“Hopefully, we will be able to present to the board at the next meeting,” he said. “The other issue is the balancing act … we’ve been through the time when the [CPI] was the Gestapo, running around, changing people’s lives … the pendulum has certainly swung away from that.
“We, as a board, are going to have to give some direction around that,” Terry added. “Ultimately, some form of proactive oversight maybe something we need to talk about. Again, I don’t have the answer today, but we’re working on these kinds of things."