Owner would raze Milford Theater

Milford — The borough delayed Milford Theater owner Joseph Farruggio’s application for a demolition permit on Monday. The borough’s architectural review board met informally with Farruggio to hear about his progress in making repairs at the 119 East Catharine Street site, which becomes the central focus of the annual Black Bear Film Festival each October. Appearing Monday night, Farruggio detailed extensive repairs to the building and assured the panel that he was not going to stop repairs “because I have an application for demolition.” Borough Solicitor John Klemeyer asked for Farruggio’s assurance that the building would be safe for the film festival audiences. “We want it to be safe,” he insisted. Farruggio noted that the theater has been open all summer and he has his own concerns for his audience’s safety. “I’m not a reckless operator,” he said. Farruggio claims the lot, without the building is more valuable than it is with the theater. He said he can no longer afford to operate “a white elephant,” as he termed the theater, and has been unable to find a buyer. The review board in March charged the theater owner with “demolition by neglect.” and subsequently approved Farruggio’s plans for some $10,000 in renovations to the theater.