Ongoing Turner junkyard dispute nearing next phase
Officials have been discussing various options with the town’s attorney.

TURNER – The ongoing conflict between the town and junkyard owner Gene Jordan appears to be nearing an end following several years of broken consent agreements, unfulfilled promises and court proceedings.

Earlier, in the spring when Jordan did not comply with the town’s last cleanup order for the junkyard, which lies on the banks of the Nezinscot River, the town instituted court proceedings against him. At that time, the court ordered that the cleanup be largely completed by Nov. 30. According to officials and neighbors, that may not happen and a contempt order would be lodged if it does not.

“You can still see at least 20 junk cars just driving by on the road,” Town Manager Jim Catlin told selectmen Monday night.

Officials have been discussing various options with the town’s attorney and may have to consider condemnation proceedings on the property since the town already has more than $80,000 in liens against it.

In other business Monday night, selectmen met with Charles Mahaleris, a representative of Sen. Susan Collins. Officials discussed several new grant opportunities with Mahaleris that could be applicable in Turner. Under the new Homeland Security Grant Enhancement Act, the town could receive funds to be used for training and equipment for first responders in case of an emergency. The funds are designed to ensure that local government officials are involved in the homeland security planning process and can also be used to offset training activities, which may be required as part of a heightened state of alert.

Mahaleris also told the board about a new Web site that could prove invaluable to local students. It contains information about scholarships, fellowships, internships, grants and cooperative programs, all in one place for ease of use. E-Scholar, according to Mahaleris, offers everything from overseas study programs to internships in Washington, as well as scholarship programs in every state. The address is www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.htm.

Questions from the board about unfunded education mandates, a new east-west highway, the loss of manufacturing jobs and a possible Route 4 bypass in Turner will all be referred to Collins.

The town’s Comprehensive Planning Committee will be meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the town office. The town’s proposed new plan was recently submitted to the state and has been returned to the town for changes, Catlin said. One of the state’s major problems with the plan, he said, is that it does not properly address the issue of development and sprawl.


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