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Select Board weighs enforcement approach to town junkyard ordinance and state antique-vehicle rule
Summary
The Select Board reviewed the town junkyard ordinance June 30, 2026, noting a provision that could make many properties automatic violations and asking Town Counsel whether RSA 236:111-a (five-vehicle antique exemption) affects enforcement; the board discussed targeted letters and coordinating with police and inspectors.
At its June 30 meeting, the Mont Vernon Select Board began a review of the town’s junkyard ordinance and discussed how to proceed with enforcement.
Chairman John Quinlan pointed to Section I-312.6 1(a) of the town ordinance, reading: "No junkyard shall be located within 660 feet of Class I, II, or III highways, or within 300 feet of Class IV, V, or VI highways." Quinlan observed that because most town roads are Class V or VI, the provision could make many properties automatic violations.
Selectman Mike Fimbel distributed a copy of RSA 236:111-a, which allows up to five antique motor vehicles per property, and questioned whether state law limits the reach of the town ordinance. The board agreed the apparent discrepancy needs clarification and directed staff to reach out to Town Counsel for a legal interpretation.
Quinlan said the Planning Board has been revising and codifying town ordinances, and suggested the Select Board’s first enforcement step should be a broad but non-adversarial letter campaign to property owners who may be in violation, followed by targeted notices to properties presenting environmental or safety concerns. He said enforcement should involve the police, the building inspector and the health inspector so violations are handled consistently and fairly.
No enforcement actions were taken at the June 30 meeting; the board asked staff to obtain legal guidance and to coordinate a plan for outreach.
