The city of Bangor won a lawsuit against the owner of a vacant property who has failed to register it.
A two-minute hearing Tuesday in Bangor District Court resulted in a default judgement against Patricia Jordan Thomas, who failed to show up to the hearing. The city sued Jordan Thomas because she failed to obtain a vacant building registration permit, failed to pay the associated fee and failed to arrange for a city inspection, all against Bangor ordinances.
Judge Jon Haddow found Jordan Thomas was in violation of the three ordinances, ordered the violations be abated within 20 days, and assessed civil penalties, as requested by Assistant City Solicitor Grace Innis.
Jordan Thomas, who owns a house at 133 Fourth St., was first notified that she needed to register the vacant building on March 19, 2024, and then was sent four more letters, according to the lawsuit. On Aug. 19, the three-story house on Fourth Street had overgrown grass and an abandoned camper and pickup truck, a Bangor Daily News reporter and photographer saw.
The city also filed a lawsuit Aug. 11 against Allen Messervey, who is the representative of the estate of his mother, Sontrud Messervey, for a house at 147 Randolph Drive. It also alleges he has failed to obtain a vacant building registration permit, failed to pay the associated fee and failed to arrange for a city inspection, all against Bangor ordinances.
The house has sat empty since 2013 when Sontrud Messervey died, according to neighbor Harold Day.
Messervey was notified about the registration requirement on April 25, 2024 and then was sent two letters, the lawsuit said.
All the mail showed up last week and an official taped documents to his door, Messervey said Monday in court. Messervey said he had no comment after Monday’s hearing.
The lawsuit against Messervey was continued so he can work with the city to come to an agreement.
