Eighty vehicles towed as Brockton auto shops shut down in code enforcement crackdown

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Eighty vehicles towed as Brockton auto shops shut down in code enforcement crackdown

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The Enterprise of Brockton, Mass. www.enterprisenews.com By Elaine Allegrini The Enterprise BROCKTON — Meet city codes or face the consequences. That was the message from Acting Building Commissioner James Casieri on Monday as he watched 80 vehicles being towed from a Montello Street auto shop lot. Were coming, Casieri said, warning other violators to clean up their lots, get their licenses and do things by the book. Business leaders have been loud and clear in recent weeks that the blight that mars city streets is affecting their ability to market the city and its empty buildings. They are targeting illegal apartments, unsightly properties and business violations. On Monday, their target was International Auto Workz and JDs Auto Body, two businesses at 456 Montello St. where 80 vehicles were towed and many more were driven away. The shops are unlicensed, said Building Inspector Frank Gazarro and police officer Scott Uhlman, of the citys code enforcement task force. Theres a license to store 15 vehicles inside, but no licenses to do any work or store vehicles outside, city inspectors said. Authorities said this is one of the blighted areas, a large lot that the city once owned that is surrounded by a green tarp-covered, chain-link fence and strewn with tires and other trash. The property sits amid a residential area, just blocks from downtown. Montello Street is Route 28, a heavily traveled state road. It makes the city look worse than it is, said Ward 4 City Councilor Paul Studenski, pleased that the city is acting against violators. This is just what weve been talking about, code enforcement, said Ward 3 Councilor Dennis Eaniri. Thats what makes the city a mess. There are many unlicensed businesses, said Ward 5 Councilor Dennis DeNapoli, citing one on Eliot Street earlier this year where a garage owner rented space to other unlicensed businesses and parked vehicles all over the street. People are setting up shop without licenses or violating existing licenses by working beyond the hours listed, having too many vehicles on a lot or littering, officials said. They can open up in the city without anyone knowing, said Scott Dwyer, president of the Montello Business Association. He said the lot at Broad and Main streets is especially offensive, littered with vehicles. The corridor along North Montello and Montello streets is lined with motor vehicle businesses — used car lots, auto repair and auto body businesses. Most are licensed, said fire Lt. Edward Williams of the code enforcement task force. But, he said, there are many violations of those licenses. Officials said they try to keep up with violations, but many occur at night or weekends, when the task force is not there. Casieri said the city is being proactive. I dont know how many are illegal, but well find out, he said. Its an ongoing investigation. The city of Brockton cracked down on two auto repair businesses that had been operating without the necessary permits. The police department's enforcement division called in tow trucks and removed nearly 100 vehicles from the lot.

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BrocktonEnterprise

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brockton, enterprise, GHSVID, GHSNEVID, auto, repair, unlicensed, craig, murray,