OLD TOWN – In trying to prevent a repeat of the recent Rhode Island fires, the City Council once again tabled the Wel-Com-Inn’s request for renewal of its liquor license and special amusement permit.

After receiving a report from Charlie Heinonen, the town’s code enforcement officer, and Old Town Fire Chief Lt. Steve O’Malley, councilors agreed that the owner needed to complete required inspections before the permit can be approved.

The application will be brought up for review again at the February meeting. The present license will expire Feb. 2. Wel-Com-Inn is owned by Robert Modrey.

O’Malley admits the department is being more diligent with its code enforcement inspections since the Rhode Island incident, but noted that the code has not changed.

“It’s happening around the country, not just in Old Town,” O’Malley said.

Modrey argued that in the 20 years he has owned the business, a five-year inspection of the sprinkler system and a required tag on the boiler have never been an issue.

The sprinkler system and the boiler are the major concerns with the property. If there had been time to go through the appropriate channels, O’Malley said, he would have tried to shut the business down before the meeting.

In other business, town officials have decided not to condemn or tear down a building at 138 Middle St. that neighbors previously had voiced concern about.

At the Jan. 5 meeting, William Osborne of Middle Street presented the council with a petition signed by approximately 15 of his neighbors who live in the vicinity of 138 Middle St., a building they feel should either be repaired or condemned and possibly torn down.

“This is, not at this time anyway, a candidate for condemnation,” O’Malley said at Thursday’s council meeting.

O’Malley and the city’s code enforcement officer inspected the property and the owner has agreed to do some work to take care of concerns they had, such as removing the porch from the front of the building.

“The conclusion is that it’s structurally sound, but obviously has some items that need to be addressed,” O’Malley said.

The building hasn’t been inhabited since a fire did major damage to the property in the mid-1980s.

Osborne referred to the building as a “detriment to the neighborhood and the city in general” at the Jan. 5 meeting. He told councilors that over the years he has removed several small children from the property who were drawn to the haunted-looking house. Wild animals on the property, such as skunks and raccoons, also have caused problems for neighbors.

“Anytime that place has been inspected, it has been secure,” said Town Manager John Lord. “It’s not an issue of people getting in there; it’s an issue of people hanging around there.”

Officials hope that removing the porch will alleviate the problem.