John Ruch
Web Exclusive
Mike’s Service Center at 626 Centre St. was shut down by city inspectors today for allegedly operating without permits and having abandoned cars, a leaking oil tank and “illegal” propane heaters, according to city officials.
Colleen Keller of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services said she asked for an inspection after residents complained about abandoned cars. This morning, officials found the other problems, including “several fire code violations,” according to Boston Fire Department spokesperson Steve MacDonald.
“When you’re dealing with flammable liquids, you don’t want to mess around,” Keller said.
The auto repair shop’s landlord is the local Stamatos family. Christ Stamatos told the Gazette that the violations are a “couple of minor issues” that the family will work with the business to resolve. He could not immediately identify the owner of the business.
“It looks like more than what it is,” Stamatos said of the violations.
The shop will remain shut down until violations are fixed, MacDonald said.
Another service station that operated in the same building under a different owner and landlord was shut down twice in 2003 by city inspectors for similar violations.
For more on the shutdown, see the Jan. 22 issue of the Gazette and updates at www.JamaicaPlainGazette.com.