The dwelling, a mobile home-type structure, was the subject of complaints by unnamed residents, who suggested it lacked the required permits and violating zoning laws.
Angela D. PlassmannNORTHAMPTON – The strange saga of Angela D. Plassmann took another twist this week as she removed a controversial mobile home on her property despite her insistence that it was there legally.
The dwelling, a mobile home-type structure, was the subject of complaints by unnamed residents, who suggested it lacked the required permits and violating zoning laws. Plassmann’s mother reportedly lived in the structure. Building Commissioner Louis Hasbrouck was in the process of investigating the situation when the neighborhood woke up Wednesday to find the home gone.
Plassmann, a first-term city councilor representing Ward 3, abruptly resigned from that post earlier this month, claiming she was being harassed by an unnamed department head for political reasons. Her vaguely worded statement suggested that there was criminal wrong-doing involved and that she would seek legal satisfaction against the city. Plassmann declined to elaborate further and has refused to talk with the media.
Although Plassmann did not cite any details about her conflict with the city, it came to light that the Planning Department had asked Hasbrouck to look into complaints about the mobile home on the 180 Fair Street Extension property where she lives with her husband, Jon Plassmann. After eying the structure from the road, Hasbrouck sent a letter to couple’s lawyer, Patrick J. Melnick, saying that it appeared to be a “manufactured home” and, thus, was not in compliance with local zoning laws. Moreover, Hasbrouck wrote, the Plassmanns appeared to lack a permit for the structure and were in apparent violation of flood zone regulations.
In a response to Hasbrouck Friday, Melnick maintained that the structure is not a “manufactured home” but a “recreational park trailer” that is licensed as such. Rather than “quibbling” about the matter, however, the Plassmanns decided to remove the structure from the premises and end “a public spectacle for what they consider to be a private matter,” Melnick wrote.
Melnick had previously sought to learn the identities of the complainants, but the city says it is its policy to keep the source of zoning complaints confidential. In his letter to Hasbrouck, Melnick said he considers it “unfortunate” that the complainants remain anonymous.
“We do live in a free country where we have the right to know of and confront our accusers and know the basis of their accusations before we have to answer for them,” he wrote. “The Plassmanns are quite sure that the motives of the secret informant(s) have nothing to do with the fact that the Plassmanns had a recreational vehicle at their home.”
Plassmann again did not return calls on the matter Friday. Smoke could be seen coming from the chimney her house, which is surrounded by “no trespassing” signs. Hasbrouck said he intended to inspect the property to verify that the mobile home is gone. If so, he said, there is no longer an issue to investigate.
“Everything’s good with me,” he said.
Plassmann swept to victory in 2008, defeating incumbent Robert C. Reckman. In her abbreviated term on the council, she frequently voted in the minority and opposed several spending measures. Plassmann wanted to raise the fines for marijuana possession, saying drug enforcement was high on her political agenda , but she made little headway on that issue.
The city has scheduled a special election for Aug. 2 to fill Plassmann’s seat.