It appears area landlords need to be on extra alert if the code enforcement officer of the villages of Brocton and Fredonia happens to visit them.
John Monaco, on Dec. 14, threatened a Fredonia trustee - one of his supervisors - in front of a village justice. "I would just like to punch you in the face," he admitted saying to Trustee Marc Ruckman.
Monaco was never charged in the incident, but it does speak to his character - and why landlords need to be concerned if he is visiting one of their properties. If Monaco could get away with this threat to a village trustee in front of a judge, just how is he treating those he is citing? Is he threatening them with no one around?
Landlords are nearly powerless when it comes to dealing with code enforcement officers. As we have seen in Brocton, there is already a question of selective enforcement with Monaco. A building on Main Street was cited for having chipped paint while a neighboring vacant structure has boarded up windows and a roof collapsing.
Yes, Monaco cited the structure with chipped paint.
Village of Fredonia officials, who were quiet about the incident until the OBSERVER made a Freedom of Information request, say Monaco has been disciplined. "We resolved it as a board and took appropriate action," village Mayor Steve Keefe said.
But Monaco is back on the job, which includes a $65,000 salary, benefits and the use of a village vehicle. Landlords, take precautions.
