CollinsHell Home

Collins Hell Photo Gallery...We have to wonder if the Portland Officials view these with pride??

Here is small sampling of our code violation photo gallery as well as comments and any related code violations.  If you think you
may have issues similar to ours, please contact your Local and State Building Officials immediately!!  These issues are costly to
repair and must be disclosed if you are thinking of selling your home.  If you Local Official will not accommodate your request,
contact your State Building Official Immediately, as well as your local Selectperson or Mayor - remember,
DOCUMENT
EVERYTHING
!

I wonder if Selectwoman Bransfield would put up with these shenanigans at her house??  Would any of the Selectpeople want this
to happen to them?

Building Official Stephen Giarratana refused a directive from Connecticut Building Official, Christopher Laux,
instructing him to "reinspect" our house.  Finally, after three separate meetings before the State Standards
Committee and an Opinion from the Attorney General's office, Mr. Giarratana finally inspected our home in February,
2006.  Want to see the Directive from Mr. Laux and Mr. Giarratana's response?  <COMING SOON!!>
                                                                                                                                                                 
            
 After reviewing this list, do you believe our house was inspected prior to the CO?
This was the plumbing vent
pipe that terminated in the
attic.  Yes, that's right...       
THE ATTIC.
 


Plumbing Vent - The drainage system
vent lines terminates in the attic without
an air-admittance valve.  This is violation
of section 3601.5 of the referenced
code.Isn't the black gunk above the pipe
just lovely?
Oil tank fill and vent - The oil tank fill and
vent terminations are located within the
garage.  This is in violation of Sections
2703.3 and 2703.5 of the referenced
code.
Power Vent Location.  The power vent observed installed within six inches of a finished grade.
 This in violation of Section 2104.2.6 of the referenced code.

These pictures were not taken at the same time.  We must constantly dig below the vent to
insure that it does not become blocked.  Notice the soot on the picture to the left?
Grade at rear of house - there are
multiple locations where the finished
grade is too close to unprotected wood,
including one instance where grade
touches the siding.  This is in violation of
Section 322.1 of the referenced code
Grade at rear of house - the grade does
not slope away from the foundation in
the code mandated manner.  This is
violation of Section 401.3 of the
referenced code.  Notice the trenches??
Water runs through the garage - There is no indication of the existence of foundation drains.  
This is in violation of Section 405.1 of the referenced code.

The shiny stuff isn't water...it's ice.  This is what our garage looks like from Winter until
Spring.
.Below, This is erosion. The unlicensed
builder, David Fugge, Jr. was required to put up
bond money. Of course, he didn't have it so we
paid the bond. See the erosion?  Evidentially,
someone at Town Hall doesn't seem to
because they released the bond money to the
unlicensed builder, David Fugge, Jr.

You know, the bond money that WE paid.

How did the money get released if there is
erosion all over the property?  Hmmmm??  
Maybe Mr. Kelsey can answer that in court.  I
know I'm looking forward to it!
Plumbing leak over garage - Initially, the
shower drain was not connected and
caused water to seep through the floors
causing mold.  This would have been in
violation of section 2903.5.2                    

Notice the openings around the ceiling??
Open junction boxes in garage
ceiling.  This is violation of article
370.28 of the 1999 National
Electrical Code.                                

What did the Standards Committee
think of this?  Keep an eye out for
the minutes as they are coming
soon!
Electrical Panel needs labels on circuit breakers.  This is
in violation of NFPA 70-1993.

Doesn't sound like a big deal?  Try figuring out which
circuit runs what when an outlet starts smoking and you
can't find the breaker to shut it off.  
How safe does this
look to you?

I wonder if
Selectwoman
Bransfield would
put up with this in
her house?
The heating equipment located within the garage must be inspected to insure that
no return air is taken from the garage into the house.  For example, the drywall
installed on the ceiling is not taped and allows for migration of carbon dioxide into
the dwelling.  This is in violation of Section 1902.3 of the referenced code.
Concrete block retaining wall is not part of the construction plans on file, nor does the
information on file show the correct engineer seal.  The proper documentation supporting
structural calculations are also not on file.

Notice how great the block lines up???
And our newest find....

Ledge coming through the floor of the garage.  The garage floor that has improper
grading and zero drainage.  Yes, that's water....and in winter it will be ice.  

I wonder if Mr. Giarratana would find this acceptable at his house?  Would Mr.
Kelsey??  
Image having to navigate this driveway.  That's a straight shot of ice that goes right into
the road.  Our Jeep has slid down at least 3 times.  What is across the street?  A school
bus stop.  How safe does this seem to you?  

I wonder if Mr. Kelsey would like to navigate this on a daily basis??