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19 Lions Lane_Deposition_260409 DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Non-Active Fire Response 19 Lions Lane, Salem, MA 01970 April 9th, 2026 Owner: Edward Fitzsimons Property Manager: East Coast Properties – Cyndy Anselmo Phone: (978) 852-4000 Email: Cyndy@Ecpllc.net On the morning of 04/09/2026 at 11:04 AM, I received a phone call from Voula Orfanos informing me Fire Dispatch contacted her and requested personnel from the Building Department to be present at 19 Lions Lane in Salem. Upon arrival to the property at 11:21 AM, I was approached by Lieutenant Joe Jurasek of the Salem Fire Department. Lt. Jurasek informed me that the Fire Department shut off the breakers at the electrical panel and called National Grid to shut off the power at the property. Cyndy Anselmo, the Property Manager with East Coast Properties, was also present at the scene. Lt. Jurasek showed me inside the condominium unit where I observed a collapsed ceiling over the dining room and kitchen area. There was water covering all of the furniture, personal belongings and the floor. The carpet in the living room area was soaked with water. The wood paneling on the walls around the bay window in the dining room was buckled and the painted walls had sagging paint. Water was actively dripping from the ceiling. Ms. Anselmo mentioned she had tried to shut the water off at the unit’s main. Lt. Jurasek informed me the shut off is leaking and asked if I wanted to contact DWP to have the water shut off for the property. I agreed and placed a call to DPW at 11:24 AM, however they did not answer the phone at that time. Ms. Anselmo then mentioned the water might be coming from the second floor bathrooms (x2) and we walked up the stairs to investigate. I observed the bathrooms were in a derelict condition and there was a coating of white mold over all surfaces, however, I did DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER not see any signs of an active leak coming from the fixtures. Around 11:30 AM I informed Lt. Jurasek that I no longer required the Fire Department’s assistance and Engine 5 departed the scene. At that time, I began to question the Property Manager. Ms. Anselmo informed me of the following: 1. The property was owned by Mr. Edward Fitzsimons. 2. Mr. Fitzsimons abandoned the property around March of 2024 and she believes he moved with his family to New Hampshire. 3. The property was taken over by Eastern Bank as an abandoned property and the bank has been conducting periodic inspections. 4. The Bank informed Cyndy that the property was winterized and the water had been shut off at the beginning of the season. Voula Orfanos called me at 11:31 AM to inquire about the condition of the property. I informed her about the water damage and about how I was unable to contact DPW to have the water shut off at the driveway for the unit. Voula said she would call Katie or Ray at DPW to push the request to their attention and our call ended. Around 11:40 AM, a representative from National Grid arrived on the scene. Ms. Anselmo directed the National Grid representative that the electricity needs to be shut off for the condominium unit and showed him where the electrical meter was located on the building. I observed the National Grid representative opening the meter and cutting the electrical power to the condominium unit. Then the National Grid representative disconnected the electrical panel located in the unit’s garage. A representative from Rainbow International Restoration was on the scene when I arrived and was contacted by Ms. Anselmo. After the electrical power was shut off for the property, the restoration representative walked through the unit and gave his analysis to Ms. Anselmo. Ms. Anselmo said she wanted him to wait until she spoke with the property management’s legal attorney. At 11:45 AM, Ms. Anselmo walked me around the property where I observed cracking in the foundation wall, water damage discoloration on the siding and water actively dripping from the bay window on the exterior. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER At 11:55 AM, Ms. Anselmo mentioned she was going to go back to her on-site property management office to gather information on the property owner so she could provide it for my investigation. At this time, a representative from the City of Salem’s DPW also arrived on the scene. I informed him about the leaking shut off valve at the water main located within the unit and requested if he could shut off the water to the property at the street. He opened the port to access the street shut off but mentioned it was inaccessible due to too much dirt being in the hole. The DPW representative then asked to see the leaking shut off valve within the unit. I showed him the location of the valve in the garage. The DPW representative took apart the valve, which was cracked and tried to fit a new part into it that was from his truck. The part ended up not being the right size and the DPW representative said he was going to drive back to DPW’s building to get the appropriately sized part. I awaited on the scene until 12:30 PM, at which point both Ms. Anselmo and the DPW representative both returned. Ms. Anselmo provided me with the following (4) documents: 1. A copy of the Unofficial Property Record Card indicating Mr. Fitzsimons as the property owner. 2. A copy of the recorded Affidavit with the Registry of Deeds indicating the property was assigned to Eastern Bank. 3. A copy of a letter from the Law Office of Laura White Brandow stating payment of $3,166.80 for the of liens on the property. 4. A copy of the check referenced in the previous letter made out to the Highland Condominium at Salem Trust. I departed the scene at 12:37 PM. Ms. Anselmo stayed with the representative from DPW while he attempted to fix the shut-off valve at the interior water main. This deposition was written by Gail Kubik, Local Building Inspector for the City of Salem at 5:44 PM on 04/09/2026. Photo Documentation of the observed damage is on the following (17) pages. cc: Voula Orfanos – Building Commissioner, Gerard Frechette – Fire Marshal, Opengov, Laserfiche, File DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 1: View inside main entry at front door. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 2: Cracking in the tile floor at the front door. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 3: Water damage and collapsed ceiling over the dining room area. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 4: Water damage and collapsed ceiling over the dining room area. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 5: Water damage and collapsed ceiling over the kitchen area. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 6: Water damage and collapsed ceiling over the kitchen area. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 7: Water damage at bay window in dining room area. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 8: Water damage at bay window in dining room area. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 9: Second floor bathroom #1. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 10: Second floor bathroom #1. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 11: Second floor laundry closet. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 12: Exterior water damage along siding and visible wetness in the foundation wall. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 13: Exterior water damage along bay widow and visible wetness in the foundation wall. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 14: Exterior water damage along siding and visible wetness and cracking in the foundation wall. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 15: Exterior water damage along underside of bay window and visible water dripping from the structure. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 16: Exterior cracking and visible wetness in foundation wall. DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING DEPARTMENT 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR TEL. (978) 745-9595 STAVROULA ORFANOS BUILDING COMMISSIONER/ DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/ ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Photo 17: Exterior water damage and visible wetness at base of garage door.