Select board gives property owner until June 15 to clear stacked pallets and erect shelters

The Westport Island select board voted to send a compliance letter to a property owner over long-standing concerns about stacked pallets, portable garages, machinery and vehicle storage. The board said the owner must complete five specified actions and meet a compliance deadline of June 15, 2025, or the town will consider additional measures.

What the board asked for: at the meeting the board listed five steps it expects the property owner to take: stop stacking wood pallets, erect three portable garages to store machinery and small equipment, remove and relocate small equipment into those structures, ensure stored machinery contains no discharged fluids, and keep the driveway area clear so vehicles can park safely. The board added a paragraph noting it has worked with the owner over more than a year and asked that the steps be completed by June 15, 2025.

Enforcement and help: board members said they do not want to impose financial penalties without cause but emphasized that the rules must apply consistently across the island. The board also offered to help the owner meet the deadline if assistance were required and agreed to monitor compliance; the board moved and voted to send the letter and then sign it.

Context and next steps: the board will check progress and return in June to review compliance. If the owner fails to comply, members said the board may consider further enforcement actions. No formal fines or penalties were set at the meeting.

Provenance: topic introduced at SEG 344 and continued through SEG 501.