West New York Commissioner Dr. Count WileyCommissioner Count Wiley announced Saturday that he will be closing a West New York community center for seniors because of safety and health violations.West New York commissioner announces closure of senior center for code violations; mayor says he doesn't have the authority
Byon October 15, 2012 at 1:00 PM
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But Mayor Felix Roque said yesterday that Wiley is “shooting from the hip” and has no authority to close the 4-story facility at 6020 Hudson Ave.
“No commissioner has the authority to close any buildings down,” Roque said. “The only person who can close a building down is the building inspector, Manny Fernandez, or the fire official, Frank Martinez.”
“Manny Fernandez considers the building structurally sound and tomorrow (Monday) it will be open,” Roque added.
Wiley, who is at political odds with the mayor, held a press conference in front of the building Saturday and declared it “the worst building in West New York.”
Citing the findings and recommendations of a Sept. 10 “state inspection,” Wiley said the building is riddled with code violations, including a lack of emergency lighting, obstructed fire exits and asbestos violations.
Wiley said that in his capacity as commissioner in charge of Department of Parks and Public Property he intends to close the facility some time this week.
“I take full responsibility, I’m going to shut this building down,” said Wiley.
Activities for seniors that normally take place at the facility will be moved to local schools and senior housing centers, Wiley said.
The commissioner said he first became aware of poor conditions at the building when he visited seniors there last month.
He said he was shown pools of water in the hallways, walls damaged from leaks, and told of a rampant rodent problem, said Wiley.
“This is some dangerous stuff here,” he said.
Roque said yesterday he had no idea what “state inspection report” Wiley was referring to.
“We did have an inspector come through the building a couple months ago, and he said there are a couple of problems,” Roque said. “This is an old building, if there is a problem ... we are going to try and fix it. (But) right now is not the time to spend $100,000 to put on a brand new roof.”
Journal staff writer Ken Thorbourne contributed to this story.
