PROVINCETOWN Potential fire hazards and numerous structural defects were uncovered during a recent inspection of the former Old Reliable Fish House restaurant on the downtown waterfront. The owner, Bradford Rose, now awaits a determination by the board of health as to the propertys fitness for human habitation.Following the Aug. 3 fire at the historic building, town officials, including Fire Chief Michael Trovato and Building Commissioner Geoffrey Larsen, paid separate visits to the property. Trovato, who inspected the Old Reliable with Deputy Fire Chief James Roderick on Aug. 21, reported that they identified a list of combustible materials being stored in the property, which will need to be cleared. There are also areas of the building in which the floor has collapsed and the roof has failed.In addition, Trovato stated in a report to selectmen, Electric fuse panels are not to code and pose additional fire hazards. Smoke alarms have been installed in various parts of the building, but there remains a good deal of storage that continues to pose a fire hazard. Vegetation around the building is required to be removed.Trovato noted that Rose was helpful and cooperative during the inspection.Health officials have also sought access to the building. The board of health reported to the selectmen on Monday that, when the boards attempt to schedule an inspection went unanswered, it sent Rose a notice of hearing to determine whether the dwelling units there are unfit for human habitation and whether an order to vacate and secure should be issued based on the known lack of water and electricity, and known structural defects.Rose responded immediately to the notice with a request for the hearing to be rescheduled, and the chair of the board of health agreed to reschedule if Rose would allow an inspection of the property prior to the meeting, the board reportedOn Monday, the towns director of health and the environment, Morgan Clark, and its conservation agent, Austin Brandt, examined a portion of the Old Reliable property.While a rustic dwelling space was found above it, the health department was not granted access to the former restaurant on the floor below.There were beds set up in four spaces, and more mattresses in the attic. There was no running water or electricity. There is a space set up as a kitchen and the occupants report that the stove and oven work, but they do not use them. The refrigerator is reported to work when electricity is provided. The occupants reported eating meals outside of the premises, said the board of healths report.Page 2 of 2 - There are at least four bathrooms, the board continued, and Rose reported using a generator to manually pump the tight tank into the leach field weekly. There are battery-operated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on the premises, it said.The board of health hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27. At that time the board will determine whether the dwelling units in question are unfit for human habitation and whether an order to vacate and secure should be issued.In a memo provided to Acting Town Manager David Gardner, Building Commissioner Geoffrey Larsen summarized enforcement actions and inspections undertaken by his department from Aug. 5 to Aug. 24.On Aug. 19, Larsen conducted a site visit to assess possible steps to remove or make safe the one-story portion of the structure in the context of obtaining cost estimates for the town if required.Larsen reported that Roses responsiveness and cooperation by granting limited access to the occupied portion of the building constituted a level of compliance. At the same time, however, Larsen expressed his opinion that not enough progress has been detected since the town first met with Rose and notified him of the actions he was required to undertake.As of today, the owner has not provided a code-compliant method to remove or make safe the one-story portion of the structure, Larsen stated. In the context of improving communication with the building department and the owner moving towards a resolution of all building code violations, it is deemed too early for the department to determine whether or not the owner is refusing or neglecting to comply with relevant building code requirements.Gardner indicated that Rose appears to want to resolve the structural issues at the Old Reliable as well as other matters involving the town. Gardner said that Rose had come to Town Hall on Tuesday to make a payment towards his past due taxes, and that he will return on Thursday to set up a payment plan.Rose did not return phone calls from the Banner.
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