In a continuing saga involving the dilapidated house at 6 Union Street in Sag Harbor, known widely as the Morpurgo House, officials have taken at least one step in a positive direction.
On Monday, the property’s mortgage holder, Atlantic View Holdings LLC, put up a fence around the quarter-acre parcel following a request from Sag Harbor Village officials last month, as the deteriorating house was declared dangerous last year by Building Inspector Tom Preiato because of an open septic system in the backyard and caved-in portions of the roof.
“We put the fence up to protect everybody, which I think is what Tom wanted us to do,” David Fallon, a Sayville-based attorney representing Atlantic View Holdings, said at Tuesday night’s Village Board meeting. “That’s all we can really do as the mortgage holder.”
Mr. Fallon, however, said that not much else can be done about the house until a foreclosure judgment is issued against Captain Hulbert House LLC, the property’s owner. Last month, Mr. Fallon said that LLC owes nearly $1 million in mortgage payments that Atlantic View Holdings wanted paid in full by December. When those payments were not made, Atlantic View Holdings sought a judgment of foreclosure, and the attorney doesn’t envision a clear title coming through until at least August, he said Tuesday.
But because the house’s condition poses a safety problem, specifically with the open septic system, Sag Harbor Mayor Brian Gilbride said the village may have to step in if the judgment does not come soon. In the meantime, a public hearing seeking input on what to do about the house will remain open.
“If the judicial process slows you guys down, we may have to do something,” Mr. Gilbride told Mr. Fallon Tuesday night. “A little maintenance can be done around there.”
on Mar 11, 2015