WOBURN - As expected, a hearing to determine whether a building at 434 Main St. is a public nuisance was continued until the City Council's meeting on Nov. 21.

In a letter to the council dated Oct. 17, attorney Mark Salvati, representing property owner Juvenal Capelo, wrote he and his client were not available to attend the hearing that night but "are taking the matter seriously and are making every effort to bring it to a resolution.

"Although this property has been vacant for some time, Mr. Capelo has been actively pursuing various possibilities to either sell or lease the property," wrote Salvati. "He has had three potential buyers sign purchase-and-sale agreements only to have the deals fall through."

Salvati added Capelo has hired an architect to design a new storefront "which will hopefully be installed within the next two months."

21 Plympton St. - Ward 3 Alderman Scott Galvin filed a request for a public hearing to discuss whether a private residence at 21 Plympton St. should be declared a nuisance.

The hearing will likely take place at one of the council's meetings in December.

The home is currently occupied, Galvin said, but is in "pretty deplorable condition."

"There have been some complaints from the neighbors, especially about the condition of the outside of the house," added Galvin.

A nuisance declaration gives the city certain rights to have the building knocked down, but is just as often used as a tool to leverage the owner into making improvements to the property.

Historic District Commission - Mayor Thomas McLaughlin nominated two residents for terms on the city's Historic District Commission.

Alfred Street resident Arthur L. Duffy was nominated for re-appointment to a 3-year term, while Gregory Dubell of Water Street was nominated for an appointment of three years.

Their terms would begin upon confirmation by the City Council.

The council sent both nominations to its Personnel Committee for review.

Citizens' participation - Sent to the council's Liaison Committee was a request for citizens' participation, Cherylann Silva, Church Court, to discuss "an issue with housing."

Silva is apparently a former federal housing assistance recipient.

Open Meeting Law - Mayor McLaughlin informed the council the Middlesex District Attorney's office recently ruled the council did not violate the state's Open Meeting Law when it met to discuss a gender bias and harassment complaint by Human Resources Director Jan Cox against former Mayor John Curran.

Curran filed a protest after the council excluded him from a meeting in executive session to discuss a possible settlement with Cox, which was eventually reached a few months later.