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Ellsworth code officer reports fewer odor complaints overall, but Maine Organics gets second violation
Summary
Code enforcement recorded far fewer odor complaints than last year but issued a second notice of violation to Maine Organics after a renewed outbreak; council discussed escalation under the new odor ordinance.
Ellsworth’s code-enforcement office told the council on Aug. 18 that odor complaints are down overall from last year but that Maine Organics received a second notice of violation after a severe event on Aug. 5.
Robert Grant, the city’s code enforcement officer, said he logged 31–32 complaints this summer compared with roughly three times that number last year. After an incident on June 27, Maine Organics received a corrective 30‑day notice; a subsequent, worse incident on Aug. 5 prompted a second notice. Grant said the 30‑day compliance window was still active and staff will observe whether the company takes sustained corrective action.
Councilors said residents remain frustrated and urged that the ordinance’s escalation provisions be used when violations repeat. Chair Michelle Beal and other councilors asked staff to consider what legal action would look like if further violations occur and asked for a follow-up report at a future meeting.
Grant said that while there is some subjectivity in enforcement timing, the ordinance was designed to escalate enforcement quickly if a business repeatedly produces noxious odors that affect neighbors and public spaces.
