The City of Madison’s Health Board met Tuesday afternoon to discuss Dick Wiedenman’s home at 902 North Washington Avenue in Madison that was damaged by fire earlier this month.  Two members of the three-member board were present at Tuesday’s meeting to hear from Wiedenman and Fire Chief Randy Minnaert to determine whether or not the property constitutes a nuisance under the city’s ordinances.  City Attorney David Jencks, a member of the city’s health board, explained to Wiedenman why the board was meeting.



Jencks said that there are many reasons that property can be declared a nuisance.



Fire Chief Randy Minnaert told the board that the north end of Wiedenman's home was a complete loss, and that’s where the electricity comes into the home.  He said the home had a “huge fire load” and had lots of contents, and that the first several minutes that firefighters were on scene were spent making sure that the renter who lived in the north end of the property was not inside.  Minnaert said they had some problems with a tin roof on the home and had to bring a backhoe in to help remove that to fight the fire.  He said Wiedenman did not have any insurance on the property, so an investigation into the exact cause was not done.  He said the south end of the property, where Wiedenman lived, had some smoke damage and there were concerns about him wanting to stay there.


Jencks asked Wiedenman what he planned to do with the north portion of the house that was severely damaged in the fire.  Wiedenman said he plans to tear down the upper part of the home, but will save the basement.   


Jencks told Wiedenman that the only way for the Health Board to determine whether or not the property is a “nuisance” is to see more of what the existing structure looks like from the inside.  Wiedenman agreed to let Police Chief Chuck Pulford, who also sits on the board, go inside the home and take the necessary pictures of the property.  Jencks said he would like to have the board reconvene again to make a decision as soon as next week.