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Select board weighs health-first approach for property cleanup, explores vehicle donation option
Summary
Board members reviewed complaints about a property with trash and derelict vehicles, discussed the limits of enforcement, and endorsed a DEP-recommended outreach approach involving mental-health resources; members also agreed to explore letting Edgecomb Fire Department remove vehicles for training.
The Westport Island Select Board discussed a resident complaint on July 13 about a property with bags of trash and multiple vehicles, and debated enforcement options and alternatives that emphasize health and outreach.
Committee member (S5) asked whether the board would pursue the state junkyard statute over persistent trash and visible vehicles, saying prior promises to act had not been fulfilled. Chair (S2) said the town had received one written and one verbal complaint and would follow up; he also said he had contacted the sheriff’s office and that a resource deputy had performed a wellness visit but was on sick leave and might return to assist.
Staff/Committee (S3) reported speaking with a DEP official who suggested that many similar situations are better addressed first through mental-health outreach rather than heavy-handed enforcement. "When you get a situation like this, it's much more towards the mental health issue than it is the actual trash issue," S3 said, describing a strategy that uses a mental-health responder to build trust and offer help to get belongings cleaned up rather than immediate punitive action.
The board also discussed a practical removal option: Edgecomb Fire Department is seeking vehicles to use for extrication and training and will remove cars at no cost to owners. "They will come and get the vehicles...so there's no cost at all to the person," S3 said; the board asked staff to check availability and follow up with the sheriff and Edgecomb personnel.
Chair (S2) committed to additional follow-up with the sheriff's office and to rechecking whether a resource deputy is available before pursuing further enforcement. The board did not authorize immediate enforcement action at this meeting and instead directed staff to pursue outreach and coordination with health and emergency services as appropriate.
The board agreed to revisit the matter after staff follows up with the sheriff and the DEP contact, and to consider vehicle removal via fire-department training if the property owner consents or if appropriate legal steps are taken.
