Home That Was Condemned Was Broken Into, Council Told

A Second Avenue home that was recently condemned before being sold at a Northampton County sheriff’s sale was broken into late last month, Hellertown zoning and codes enforcement officer Kris Russo told borough council Monday.

Russo said he was assisted by borough police Monday in fortifying the single-family, two-story home at 1231 Second Avenue after it was discovered that windows and a door had been damaged, and locks “tampered with.”

Although it has been sold, borough manager Cathy Hartranft said the property “is in limbo” since its new owner hasn’t yet taken possession of it.

Council solicitor Michael Corriere agreed, saying that the home is essentially in the county’s hands until the deed is transferred to its new owner.

Councilman Mike McKenna asked whether a lien to pay for the costs of securing the property could be placed against its last owner, since the deed hasn’t been transferred yet.

Corriere indicated that he didn’t think that would be possible.

“It’s an investigation,” councilman John Bate said of the incident. “It could have been some kids. It didn’t have to be the old owner.”

Its last owner, according to online Northampton County property records, was Rosario A. Velas.