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Neighbors urge stricter enforcement after David Lane fire, council says owner must show progress by June 22
Summary
Neighbors described explosions, debris and ongoing safety and sanitation concerns at 21 David Lane following a June 5 fire. Town staff said DEP completed a site cleanup, nearby wells tested negative, and the property owner has until June 22 to demonstrate significant compliance or fines will begin.
Neighbors of 21 David Lane told the North Branford Town Council on June 16 that the June 5 fire and earlier blight at the property represent a long‑running public‑safety and environmental risk and pressed the town for swift enforcement.
Acting town manager Rory Burke reported the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection completed a site cleanup after the incident, removed improperly stored materials and tested adjacent wells; the results were negative for contamination, Burke said. Town files show enforcement efforts on the property dating to at least 2010, he added, with a blight ordinance passed in July 2024 and a zoning violation letter issued in January 2024. Following the June 5 incident the town issued another violation notice; the owner has until June 22 to demonstrate substantial compliance or fines will begin, and the building official has issued a building‑code notice with 45 days to remediate.
Multiple neighbors described the scene in emotional public comments: Robert Spano said the problem has persisted for more than a decade and cited explosions that have “almost hit children.” Neighbor Hank Townsen described witnessing bottles of acetone and other combustible chemicals being moved into spray bottles and said dumpsters offered by neighbors were refused by the owner. Nicole Trobridge said children were awakened at 2 a.m. by exploding debris and asked the town for inspection, transparency and meaningful action so families can feel safe.
Councilors emphasized the need to give the owner due process while pressing staff to set firm enforcement dates. Burke said the town will continue to work with the owner if progress toward remediation is shown, but if the dumpster does not arrive and cleanup does not begin, the town will enforce fines and take stronger action.
The town will review its blight complaint procedures and the blight ordinance and return with recommendations to the council when the review is complete.
