March 24, 2000

Ms. Carole XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Topsfield, MA

Dear Ms. XXXXXXXX

On July 19, 1999, I sent you a letter detailing fire and life safety code violations at 47 Court Street. The violations stemmed from the fact that you were operating a rooming house at that location. Through communication with you, you indicated that you were going to convert the house to a single-family residence, thereby eliminating the need to comply with the items in the letter. I was under the impression that once your former tenants were evicted, in late summer '99, you converted 47 Court Street to a single family residence.

On March 23, 2000, I receivd a phone call from a tenant at 47 Court Street advising me that the use of the structure was a rooming house. The caller, William XXXXX, inicated that he was concerned over fire safety issues and request that I perform an inspection, which I scheduled for this morning at 9:00 a.m. A short time later you called and we discussed the contents of the letter dated July 19, 1999. You stated that "someone" told you that you didn't need to do anything because 47 Court Street is an exisiting building. I assured you that neither I, nor any member of this department, told you that you did not need to comply with the requirements of the letter. Additiionally, you were invited to witness this morning's inspection, which you indicated you would like to do.

Given the delay in correcting the fire and life safety code violation and the concern for the safety of thetenants of 47 Court Street, I am establishing deadlines in respect to correcting the items listed in the leter to you dated July 19, 1999. A copy of the letter is enclosed. You are hereby ordered to submit by April 3, 2000, a written action plan on you r strategy to comply with the items listed in the letter. You are hereby orderred to comply with the itmes listed in the letter by May 3, 2000. Failure to meet the above deadlines will result in swift legal action.

Please feel free to use my office as a resource in answering any questions or concerns you may have. However, be advised that no further delays will be granted without court ordered approval.

Yours truly,

Ronald E. Clymer
Assistant Chief

cc: David F. Bibber, Chief
George Wattendorf, City Attorney
Enclosure

(Spelling and grammar as per the original.)