Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges reopening ATV trails and raises concerns about junkyard enforcement
Summary
Public commenter Scott Courier said ATV trails opened after a large local investment were closed after a town employee photographed a private property owner; the town manager said the town relies on state junkyard statute and seeks voluntary compliance but warned unresolved noncompliance may lead to court action.
During public comment, Scott Courier identified himself and urged the board to help reopen local ATV trails he said were closed in early September after an incident in which a town employee entered private land and took photographs. Courier said the trail closures have harmed local commerce and that volunteers and the ATV club want to help maintain or reopen trails.
Town Manager responded that the town did send an employee (the code enforcement officer) in a town vehicle to photograph the property and that the town cannot rely on a local junkyard ordinance because it was repealed several years ago. "The junkyard ordinance was repealed and we rely solely on state statute," the manager said, adding that state law focuses on environmental risk rather than appearances. The manager said the town prefers voluntary compliance, has volunteers ready to assist cleanup, but that unresolved noncompliance will likely result in court action.
The manager urged members of the public who know the landowner to encourage cooperation; he said the town's goal is compliance rather than punishment but that environmental risks (fluid leaks, piled equipment) can trigger enforcement.
