At last Tuesday’s common council committee meeting, Alderwoman Diane Hatzenbuhler said she has found an attorney willing to bring a case for the city against Hohenforst Machinery Co. on Forest Avenue. According to Hatzenbuhler, the property has been cited for numerous codes violations and has been the subject of many complaints over several years.
“They are not supposed to have anything on the outside of that building on Forest Ave unless it’s inside the fence,” said Hatzenbuhler, “people have been screaming for 15 years and they want it resolved.”
Alderman Ron Barone agreed the condition of the property was “deplorable” but advocated for dealing directly with the owners first. He said he was concerned that extended legal proceedings would be costly for the city.
The city must hire an outside attorney for legal representation in the matter because Hohenforst is currently a client of Corporation Counsel Gerard DeCusatis which would present a conflict of interest. The council later met in executive session to discuss the matter, with DeCusatis recusing himself.
Hatzenbuhler said Thursday that she hoped a resolution to authorize the hiring of an attorney would be voted on at a special Common Council meeting this Wednesday.
