For the second time in two months, officials have closed down the Parrott House, this time for alleged "life and safety issues."
A conditional certificate of occupancy for the landmark Schoharie restaurant was revoked Wednesday afternoon. Customers at the bar had to leave their drinks as officials closed the business, according to restaurant owner David McSweeney.
On advice from his attorney, Mr. McSweeney boarded up the windows and doors of the restaurant on Thursday.
The loss of his CO forced the Schoharie County health department to void Mr. McSweeney's permit to operate a food service business, explained Ian Feinstein, county deputy health director.
Mr. McSweeney was issued a conditional CO on February 14 and given additional time to make repairs on the building.
In early February, the Parrott House was closed by the health department for failure to apply for an annual permit. At that time, several safety violations were cited.
On Friday, Mr. McSweeney said he did not know why he was shut down this time, but according to village code enforcement officer Joe Whipple "there are major code and safety issues that were not corrected."
Mr. Whipple did not detail the items but said one of the issues was the sprinkler system.
"He was given plenty of time" to make the repairs, Mr. Whipple added.
Many of the repairs had been completed or were being done, Mr. McSweeney explained.
The electrical improvements have been completed, work had started on a new slab and hooks for the propane tank and some repairs had been done to the front porch, according to Mr. McSweeney.
There is no real sprinkler system in the building to repair, Mr. McSweeney explained.
It would cost between $65,000 and $80,000 to put a sprinkler system in the Parrott House but there is no requirement for a system, he argued.
Mr. McSweeney was not sure why the building was shut down.
"I guess they're concerned with upstairs," he said. "The bar had nothing to do with it."
He promised he would do fire alarm improvements on the upper floors.
On Friday, Mr. McSweeney said he had contacted village Mayor John Borst and Assemblyman Pete Lopez but had not heard back from Mr. Whipple, which was frustrating.
"We're corresponding with a ghost...Tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it."
At least 10 employees depend on the business and Mr. McSweeney noted he had 58 bookings for Easter dinner.
"We've bent over backwards with this guy...Here we are having our local community bang us again."
Mr. Whipple defended the village's position.
"The village never wants to close a business but we're not going to put public safety at risk to keep a business open."
The bar and restaurant were closed because Mr. McSweeney did not meet the condition of the temporary CO, Mr. Whipple explained.
Mr. Whipple added that he and the fire chief did a fire inspection and the conditional CO was revoked for "life and safety issues," according to Mr. Whipple.
"He's got a copy of it (the faults)," Mr. Whipple said, but Mr. McSweeney countered that he has not gotten anything in writing. "Only verbal," he added.
Mr. Feinstein noted that the health department continues to work with Mr. McSweeney.
"We tried working with him the best we could," Mr. Feinstein said Friday.
To reopen, all Mr. McSweeney needs is to provide the health department with a CO, Mr. Feinstein explained.
Mayor Borst did not want to comment on the closing except to say, "It's a hairball right now. It's a very emotional thing. Everyone is trying to keep it open."
Mr. Whipple noted that the Parrott House building has a new owner.
According to the county real property tax office, the deed for the building was transferred to Salvatore and Christopher Lisio of Route 443 on March 1, 2013.
Mr. McSweeney explained the Lisios lent him money after the flood.
The building, he noted, was separate from the business.
The Lisios could not be reached for comment.