GREENWOOD – Selectmen decided Tuesday that fines were in order for one resident who is too slow in complying with state junkyard laws.

The decision was one of three junkyard issues the board addressed at their bimonthly meeting.

Selectmen also held a hearing for junkyard applicant Norman Millett and learned a letter was sent to Geneva Wesley, advising her that her property was not in compliance with state law concerning junkyards.

Concerning the fines, selectmen set a deadline of Sept. 1 for Douglas Grover to permit an inspection of his property on Rowe Hill.

Town Manager Carol Whitman said the battle to get Grover to comply with state junkyard laws started last year.

Grover’s property has more cars than the state limit of three and what selectmen consider as other assorted junk on his property.

State law requires property with more than three unregistered vehicles to either remove them or erect a fence so the vehicles are not visible.

Whitman told selectmen at the July 17 meeting that Grover reported his progress with the cleanup on July 14.

“We told him we wanted him to deal with our attorney now. The attorney gave him about two more weeks time,” Whitman said.

Selectman Ivan Roberts said Thursday that he just wanted to inspect the property, not as an adversary, but just as someone who is concerned.

“The purpose of the inspection is to see what he has,” Roberts said. “Now that our lawyer is involved, it’s time for us to know what’s happening.”

Selectman Chairman Fred D. Henderson said if selectmen are not allowed to look at the property the only recourse may be to go to court.

Roberts said he did not appreciate the fact that every conversation they have with the lawyer about Grover’s progress costs the town money.

“I think we played around with this long enough,” Roberts said. “I think we should tell the lawyer that we want the inspection between now and Sept. 1 and to start the $100 a day fine.”

Selectmen voted to set Sept. 1 as the inspection date and if they were not allowed on the property, the $100 per day fine would be enacted.

At the hearing, Millett reported to selectmen that he had more work to do to comply with the junkyard law.

Selectmen said they wanted to inspect his junkyard and that they would set up separate dates to inspect.

Millett advised that next week would be better for him and asked that selectmen not issue a permit until December for the coming year. Every permit issued expires in December and Millett sought to avoid paying a full permit for four months use.

The selectmen agreed to issue the permit in December, providing the land meets state requirements.

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