POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess
County has given the owners of the Rip Van Winkle apartments until Friday,
January 12 to provide adequate heat to all of the residents living in
the 178-unit complex or it could face fines.
The county Department of Behavioral and Community Health investigated
tenant complaints about lack of heat in the facility and determined that
inadequate heat exists. That violates Article 21 of the county sanitary
code.
PK Management, owners of the “RIP” apartments must provide
residents with “adequate heat” – a temperature of at
least 68 degrees Fahrenheit, by Friday or face formal administrative action
by the Department of Behavior and Community Health, which will result
in fines.
City Alderman Christopher Petsas, whose ward includes the RIP, said
it is a shame that it took two months for the county to take action, especially
since he said a county health inspector came to the building in mid-November
and assessed that there was no heat.
The “RIP” lost power when an electrical fire occurred in the
basement on October 30. Residents were evacuated with those not having
alternate living arrangements, were given temporary housing at the Mid-Hudson
Civic Center.
Two months after the fire and residents back in their apartments, may
have complained of little to no heat.
Officials of PK Management, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, have not
returned a call for comment.
