Select Board authorizes consent agreement and court actions on multiple nuisance properties

The Chelsea Select Board on March 12 voted to pursue formal enforcement against multiple long‑running nuisance/property violations.

For a property at 78 Windsor Road (referred to in the meeting transcript as the Rayan matter), staff told the board there had been repeated junk, vehicle and septic issues and uneven cooperation. The town attorney explained two enforcement paths: negotiate a written consent agreement that can later be converted into a court judgment if the owner defaults, or file a complaint immediately and seek a court judgment and penalties. The board authorized staff to negotiate a consent agreement with the property owner, subject to town‑manager approval, with a 45‑day window; if a signed agreement is not reached within 45 days, the board authorized commencing court action (recorded in the minutes as an "adk" action).

The board also voted to begin court action for at least two other properties where owners were not responsive, including a motion to initiate proceedings against a property identified in the transcript as belonging to Mark and a separate motion to pursue action on Bradley York's property (18 Hill Crest Drive). Motions were made, seconded and passed with the standard "all in favor" voice vote; the transcript does not record individual roll‑call votes or named movers.

Separately, the board addressed a long‑running dangerous‑building case at 10 S Mills Road (owner referenced as Mr Shre). The owner described on‑site repairs (cribbing, jacks, steel I‑beams) and proposed a schedule to complete structural work. The town attorney and select members expressed concern about recurring missed deadlines and recommended a written agreement with clear timelines. The board authorized the town manager to enter into an agreement requiring an engineer inspection and set August 31, 2025, as the completion deadline; if the owner fails to meet the timeline, the board directed staff to proceed with a dangerous‑building process.

Board members repeatedly emphasized that verbal promises provide inadequate enforcement tools; members said a written consent agreement or court judgment gives the town enforceable remedies (including civil penalties referenced in the meeting as $100 per day from the notice of violation date if a court so orders). Several board members said they prefer to attempt a negotiated consent agreement with owners who show progress, reserving court action for noncooperative respondents.