Sullivan Select Board reviews enforcement options for yard junk, schedules fee review

At its June 3 meeting the Sullivan Select Board discussed complaints about properties with excessive yard junk and possible changes to the town's building-permit fee schedule.

Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Brodie told the board that the town already has an ordinance governing junkyards and outdoor storage and described enforcement options, noting that "the fines could range from $100-2500 per violation." Brodie recommended following current ordinance guidelines to protect health, appearance and property values and suggested practical steps including a townwide clean-up day with large dumpsters and targeted assistance for residents who need help removing items.

Town Manager Ray Weintraub said some property owners might simply need help removing debris; Brodie added that the town could pursue civil penalties where appropriate under existing ordinance language. Brodie also presented a draft or suggested fee schedule for building and permitting charges and strongly suggested removing the fee table from the building ordinance so the Select Board could adjust fees without a full ordinance amendment.

Board members did not adopt enforcement actions at the meeting. Instead, Selectmen agreed to study the proposed fee adjustments and ordinance edits and to return the item to the agenda on July 1 for further consideration.

The discussion referenced the town's existing ordinance regulating junkyards and the attached fee schedule in the meeting packet; no fines were levied during the meeting and no permit applications were considered or issued during the public session.