NORWAY — A Main Street apartment building has been given a reprieve by the Board of Selectmen, who agreed Thursday night to hold off on a vote to condemn the property on the advice of the town’s code enforcement officer.

The board had been scheduled to take on a vote on whether to evict the tenants and condemn the multi-unit apartment building at 168 Main St. Thursday night.

The building, which sits across the street from Stephens Memorial Hospital, is owned by Patrick McInnis, 39, of the same address, according to town assessor Jodi Keniston.

“The code enforcement officer (Joelle Corey-Whitman) is hopeful enough that the landlord is making strides,” Town Manager David Holt said.

Holt said the landlord has been helping tenants find new homes and is making repairs to the building.

According to a report in the Advertiser-Democrat, Corey-Whitman told the Planning Board at its Sept. 13 meeting that the apartment building has been occupied without an occupancy permit.

The condition of McInnis’s property was addressed by the selectmen more than a year ago because of code violation issues and because there was no occupancy permit.

This year Corey-Whitman found the same conditions, which allowed her to proceed with the condemnation and eviction under the town’s rental occupancy permit ordinance.

The ordinance provides that the owner or responsible person be liable for all court and other costs, including costs incurred by relocation of tenants.

By waiting to see if the landlord continues to act in good faith, no legal expenses will be incurred, Holt said.

Holt said the concerns are serious, but Corey-Whitman has a history of trying to work with landlords and building owners, if possible, to remedy the problems before taking action.

Corey-Whitman will re-inspect the building once the repairs and updates are completed.

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