FOREST HILLS—The longtime battle between Bicon Dental Implants and its Yale Terrace neighbors is continuing, with local residents complaining—and the City agreeing—that the business was doing construction in the area without the proper permits.
Bicon, a 501 Arborway company, has a history of controversial expansions and operations that have drawn neighborhood complaints, City citations, and City Council hearings. The company a few years ago stirred controversy in the area by demolishing a 19th century house at 21 Yale Terrace for a new development. The local neighborhood association tried to stop the company from doing that demolition and started a concerted effort to have the City’s Inspectional Services Department (ISD) yank Bicon’s occupancy permit and there is a lawsuit currently in the court over that.
Berta Berriz, the former owner of 21 Yale Terrace, says that she was “deceived” by a buyer who claimed to be a family-minded local grandmother, into selling the historic house to the neighboring Bicon Dental Implants. Berriz did not want to sell the house to Bicon.
Now, a group of Yale Terrace residents—Shirley Yeroian, Curtis Woodcock, Nigel Curtis, Oliver Bouchier, Daria Regan, Connie Breece, Gail Sullivan, Kosta Demos, and Chris Fritsch—signed an Oct. 5 letter to ISD Commission William Christopher saying that Bicon was doing construction work, including site excavation, at 30-50 Yale Terrace without the proper permits.
“We have filed several complaints with ISD. We have contacted the Mayor’s hotline. Yet they continue to work without permit,” the letter states.
It continues later, “Democratic government exists to project the citizens against the arbitrary actions of powerful entities, individual or corporate. We hereby request that you protect us, citizens and homeowners of the City of Boston.”
ISD spokesperson Lisa Timberlake said ISD Commissioner Christopher did a site visit and it was determined that Bicon indeed was doing construction work without the proper permits. She said the company has since pulled the permits needed for its work.
“We have had extensive conservations with these folks and will continue to do so to make sure they are in compliance,” said Timberlake.
Bicon did not respond to a request for comment.