FARMINGTON – Whether the property at 103 Bridge St. comes under dangerous-building statutes will be discussed in a public hearing starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when selectmen meet at the town office.

The structure owned by Joel Batzell was inspected in October by the State Fire Marshal’s Office following a complaint from a person visiting the building, said Code Enforcement Officer Steve Kaiser.

Based on the inspection report with 11 noted violations, Kaiser determined that the situation needed to be addressed by the town under the dangerous-building law.

The inspection of the wood-frame, four-story building built in 1820 revealed needs for a fire separation between living units and storage areas, a metal chimney for the oil furnace, found use of extension cords throughout the premises, unsafe stairs and hallways and provision for a means of escape from sleeping and living areas. Some of the areas have been accessible only by a ladder or trap door.

“Of most concern is the tenants living in the structure,” Kaiser said. Town officials agreed that based on the report of violations, “this is currently a hazardous environment for the tenants of the building on this property.”

Batzell has begun work to bring everything needed up to code, he said Thursday. A carpenter has been there a few days but it will be a while before he can get to everything, he said. His health and funding for the repairs complicate matters, he added.

As part of a non-profit ministry, Thoughtbridge, which he has run since 1997, Batzell said he takes in homeless people, including many who are need of help. Some work around the building and on the yard sale items under the tent to help with costs. Some are encouraged to call on the town’s General Assistance program in order to help with expenses, but they are not tenants, he said. The number of people there varies, they come and go, he said, but usually there are only three or four, sometimes more in the summer.

A complaint was made after a woman visitor fell through a ladder hole, he said.

The bigger issue, Batzell feels, are the new code standards developed since he went to court in 1989.

In the 1980s he classified the structure as a rooming house and the fire marshal held him to it, he said. Through the court he was able to achieve classification as a single-family dwelling and the building was OK under that classification. Since then he has continued working on the building and put thousands into it, he said.

But the new standards do not grandfather anything, which he feels could affect many owners of older-homes whom he thinks may want to attend Tuesday’s hearing.

“I have a hallway 2 inches too narrow and ceilings that are too low,” he said. “If the government wants people to meet these new standards, then it should help low income people make that happen.”

Batzell has owned the building since 1973. The building was once used as a garage and appears to have been a blacksmith shop dating back to 1874, said local historian Nancy Porter.

Following the hearing Tuesday, the board will decide what actions to take, usually including giving Batzell time to make the corrections, Kaiser said.