On Wednesday, Oak Bluffs Building Inspector Mark Barbadoro notified Brian Hall, co-owner of the Island Theater, that he had sent a letter via certified mail, and that the same letter awaited Mr. Hall at town hall. Mr. Hall told Mr. Barbadoro he would pick up the letter at town hall on Thursday.
Mr. Barbadoro did not discuss the details of the letter with Mr. Hall, and he was reluctant to divulge the details of the letter to The Times, and would not provide a copy until Mr. Hall had had an opportunity to pick up the letter. However, Mr. Barbadoro did say that the letter expressed his concern about the structural integrity of the roof, ceiling, and walls at the Island Theater.
“I’m concerned about the ability of the walls to stand up to a significant wind event,” he told The Times in a phone conversation Wednesday. “As a building inspector, I can’t address how a building looks, but it’s gotten to the point where I’m concerned about the safety of the general public.”
Mr. Barbadoro added that a timeline for repairs is also included in the letter. “To date, I have not been called for any inspections at the theater,” he said.
Late last year, Selectman Walter Vail implored building owners Ben and Brian Hall to, at the very least, make aesthetic improvements to the exterior by June 1. “My goal was to have it appropriately dressed up by summer, and it hasn’t happened. Nothing has been done,” Mr. Vail told The Times Wednesday. “It really ticks me off.”
Mr. Vail commended Mr. Barbadoro for his patience and for taking action. “Mark’s tried very hard to work with the Halls. Now that this is becoming a public safety concern, he has to act,” he said.