The Vermont Division of Fire Safety has declined to issue occupancy permits for seven buildings on the former Green Mountain College campus that Florida Pentecostal preacher Tommie Zito wants to use to host overnight visitors for a celebration scheduled for next week. Earlier this month, Zito cl osed on a $6 million sales agreement for the 115-acre campus and its 21 buildings in the heart of Poultney. Next fall, he plans to open an evangelical education center there that he calls Z University. Zito has been promoting an on-campus welcoming event, for November 2 through 8, since he purchased the campus on October 1. But state inspectors have determined that the buildings cannot be occupied until numerous fire-safety violations are addressed. Zito did not return email inquiries from Seven Days asking about how the inspections might impact his gathering. Zito’s last social media post on the topic was on October 14 — the date state inspectors visited the campus — when he wrote that “we are full (actually over full) on campus but there are hotel rooms in the area left … Don’t miss this incredible week.” Zito continued that he would post the “full schedule of events next week,” but so far, he’s posted no such updates. Regional Fire Safety Manager GJ Garrow headed up a three-member inspection team that checked seven buildings on the campus that Zito wants to use, including two four-story former student dormitories, Lyman and Sage halls, as well as the Withey Hall Dining Room, Griswold Library, Waldron Athletic Center, the Meeting House on Bentley Avenue and the Two Editors Inn on Main Street. Fire-safety violations were found in all seven buildings, including inoperable or absent fire sprinkler systems, uninspected fire alarm systems, elevators that had not been inspected annually as required, and uninspected emergency and exit lighting systems. The library, gymnasium and dining hall all require installation of fire sprinkler systems, Garrow said. Since that work cannot be done in a week, the state is requiring each building to have designated “fire watchers” on patrol at any time the building is occupied, Garrow said. All three buildings will require installation of fire sprinkler systems before being reopened as Zito’s planned school. The two dormitories must be reinspected this week to ensure that fire sprinkler and alarm systems are functioning before anyone can stay in the buildings. The Meeting House lacks a fire alarm system and cannot be occupied. Two Editors Inn must have its alarm system reinspected. Garrow said the remaining 14 campus buildings must be inspected before Zito can use them for his school next fall. In the sales agreement and mortgage with former owner Raj Bhakta, Zito agreed to pay for a $5 million insurance policy on the campus to protect against fire and other loss. Zito will pay the insurance premiums, but any insurance claim payouts would go to Bhakta. Failure to maintain such insurance would be grounds for Bhakta to foreclose on the property. The former Green Mountain College property is critically important to Poultney and its 3,000 residents. The campus dominates the town’s main drag, and schools have operated there for 140 years. Its closure in 2019 left a gap in Poultney’s economic and cultural life. Bhakta, the founder of Vermont-based WhistlePig Whiskey, bought the former campus at auction in 2020 with sweeping plans to convert it into a world-class resort. But Bhakta failed to gain financing and necessary state planning permits, then announced this spring that he would donate the campus to a Christian group with a mission of reviving the U.S. through religious faith. Several months later, he announced that he’d selected Zito from among an undisclosed number of applicants. Zito claimed this summer to have received a $1 million donation from an anonymous source to support his vision. That donation apparently served as the down payment to Bhakta, who is holding the remaining $5 million balance in the form of a promissory note and five-year mortgage with Zito, property records show. The post New Owner of Poultney Campus Must Address Fire-Safety Issues appeared first on Seven Days. ...read more read less