WILTON – The town’s police chief and a resident responded Thursday to letters they and others received stating that they are in violation of the town’s junkyard ordinance.

Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Medcoff told planners she has sent 24 such letters recently and there are many more violations she does not currently have time to address. Those who received the letters have 14 days to come into compliance.

Resident Jerry Whitney asked Medcoff for a definition of a public nuisance. “If somebody doesn’t like something, it can be a nuisance to a certain degree,” Medcoff said. She said a nuisance can be anything from noise to devaluing property. Medcoff offered to give Whitney a copy of nuisance regulations.

Whitney also asked what determines which violations take priority. Medcoff said complaints are the number one consideration followed by the severity and location of the violation. Whitney said he feels there are much more serious violations in town. Medcoff said she does deal with more severe violations first.

Police Chief James Parker said he has “a couple of cars” out in his back field. He questioned why this would be a problem. Medcoff said she received a complaint about the cars and must follow up on any complaints she gets. Parker said only someone who knew the vehicles were there could have made such a complaint because they are not visible from the road.

Planning Board Chairman Russell Black said it is difficult for him to believe that this large amount of people all have what he would define as a junkyard. Medcoff said the town junkyard ordinance is pretty much the same as state law, with the exception of stating that only one disabled or unregistered vehicle is allowed on a person’s property. The state says two are allowed.

The ordinance refers to many types of debris from old refrigerators to parts to cars. Any disabled vehicles must be repaired within 90 days.

Planners reminded residents that while Medcoff may come to them for clarification about requirements, the board does not have enforcement powers over violations. They said that is the job of Medcoff, the town manager, and the Board of Selectmen. “Any changes need to be made in the ordinance. That’s where the problem lies,” Planning Board alternate Sheryl Mosher said.

In other business, planners approved a building permit for R.S. Osgood and Sons to add office space to their existing business on Route 2 in East Dixfield. The addition will be 12 by 24 feet with 60 feet of canopy on the right side of the building and is expected to cost less than $20,000, according to an estimate from Farmington Construction.

While Medcoff said the town maps show the business to be in a flood plain, Main-Land Development Consultants Inc. determined that this is not the case. Medcoff suggested that the company apply for a letter of amendment to the map from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She said this is not required, but would prevent the company from having to pay flood insurance.