FARMINGTON – Growing frustration over a lack of progress on code violations at a West Farmington property resulted in a unanimous vote by selectmen calling for a final plan for heating and electrical repairs when they meet April 14. If they don’t get it, they’ll pursue legal action.

In November, selectmen gave Joel Batzell 30 days to submit a plan of correction to the state Fire Marshal’s Office and 60 days to complete the work needed at his 103 Bridge St. property, known as “Thought Bridge.”

An inspection by a fire marshal was done in October after a woman was injured in the building. The inspection found 11 violations, prompting the town to address whether it was a dangerous building.

When Batzell had not met either deadline by January, the board granted a 30-day extension based on his willingness to comply and the fact that he was applying for funding to make corrections.

By the end of February, though, a correction plan had not been filed with the fire marshal and repairs had not been made.

The board agreed earlier this month to keep a watch on things.

A plan has since been filed with the fire marshal, Code Enforcement Officer Steve Kaiser told selectmen Tuesday night, but due to illness Batzell failed to meet with a furnace repairman and hadn’t spoken with a state electrical inspector.

The town has been reasonable, Kaiser said, expressing his frustration with the lack of progress.

“I’d like to see it resolved and have Joel get help, but I envision having the same discussion next March,” Selectman Jon Bubier said.

Expressing concern for Batzell’s safety, Selectman Dennis Pike agreed that the situation was going nowhere fast. It’s not a new issue. The town has been coping with it for decades, he said.

“Joel isn’t expecting anything to happen because it never has,” he said, calling for deadlines that must be met.

The board’s decisions have carried no weight, said Bubier, who suggested having the courts weigh in if there were no results by the board’s next meeting.

Kaiser advised asking the court to set a deadline for repairs and to not allow guests at the house until repairs are completed.

“We want Joel to be safe,” he said.

Taking exception to the board’s comments, Lecia Kuenning, a friend of Batzell’s, asked to speak and told the board “your hypocritical comments about safety make me feel sick.”

She told selectmen that Batzell needed someone living with him, especially because of an illness. She also disagreed with the statement about the property being a concern for decades since the building passed an inspection in 1991 and the issue did not arise until last October.

Pike said he would rather be called a hypocrite than to be sued. If a tragedy occurred, the town could be liable.

“We’ve gone way beyond reasonable tolerance,” he said.