Newberry building owner Harry Ioannou must pay $20,000 to satisfy a sentence handed down Cobleskill Village Court Tuesday afternoon.
Justice Richard Hamm levied the fine after village attorney Meredith Savitt sought a fine of $148,000 for Mr. Ioannou.
The $20,000 fine is the sentence for his conviction of failing to properly maintain three plate-glass windows. If he fails to pay within six months, “jail time may be involved,” Justice Hamm said.
Mr. Ioannou said he would appeal.
A six-person jury found Mr. Ioannou guilty August 6.
The windows broke during a March 1 snowstorm. Mr. Ioannou installed waferboard immediately afterward and three weeks later received an estimate of about $3,500 to replace the windows with glass.
The violation for not repairing the windows carries a maximum fine of $1,000 per day, and Ms. Savitt dated her request from the day Mr. Ioannou received his estimate.
“He took no action, even though he had months to do so,” Ms. Savitt told Justice Hamm on Tuesday.
Ed Wildove, Mr. Ioannou’s attorney, scoffed at Ms. Savitt’s high request.
“A $148,000 fine is way too much. . .very unreasonable. . .outrageous,” Mr. Wildove said.
Instead, he asked for a “modest fine” that would “impact” his client but not inhibit Mr. Ioannou’s ability to repair the building.
In announcing his sentence, Justice Hamm told Mr. Ioannou, “You remind of the Frank Sinatra song, ‘My Way,’ ” apparently referring to the building owner being at odds with village officials.
Although she had asked for a higher fine, Ms. Savitt said afterwards she was satisfied with the sentence.
It demonstrates the seriousness of the violation and that village codes should be enforced, she said.
Codes Enforcement Office Mike Piccolo, who cited Mr. Ioannou for the violation in March, agreed.
“It was fair, and the time limit is fine,” he said. “We’re not looking to beat anybody up.”
Mr. Ioannou replaced the waferboard with more permanent plywood last week. Mr. Piccolo said the building owner told him that the plywood was temporary until he gets a tenant.
If that’s the case––no definite time limit on the plywood––Mr. Ioannou must have the temporary repairs approved by the Historic District Review Commission, Mr. Piccolo said. The Commission rules on façade and building changes in the downtown historic district.
Mr. Piccolo gave Mr. Ioannou an application for the Commission and said he has 30 days to apply.
“If he doesn’t apply in 30 days, I’ll cite him,” Mr. Piccolo said.