Milford picks contractor for apartment occupancy checks
By Amber Herring/Daily News staff
Monday, March 12, 2007 –

MILFORD - A six-bedroom home at 21 Jefferson St. housing 17 people inspired the Board of Health's decision last night to hire RMX Northeast Inc. of Milford as the town's occupancy consultant.

"People say, 'Overcrowding is a problem,' but it's not just a problem, it's illegal housing," said Public Health Director Paul Mazzuchelli. "It's dangerous and it's putting people at risk."

RMX was hired last night as the consultant who will determine the maximum occupancy of the town's 3,633 rental units, and get the apartment registration program up and running, said Mazzuchelli.

"They came prepared with a form that had their method all drawn up," said board member Leonard Izzo. "They are the company that suits our needs right now."

Prior to the board's decision, Mazzuchelli presented his findings about a number of area apartments that raised overcrowding concerns among local residents, including those at 21 Jefferson St.

The board set new rules last month requiring homes with two or more rooms to have at least 150 square feet of common living space and those with over five bedrooms to have at least 250 square feet, Mazzuchelli said.

The 21 Jefferson St. home was owner occupied with both the first and third floors violating the board's common space regulations, with either no common space or one that is too small, which is the type of situation officials hope the new occupancy reports will help alleviate.

"We want to do one big sweep across town as soon as possible so we can be proactive to dangerous situations rather than reactive," said Mazzuchelli.