NORWAY – Selectmen stood behind Code Enforcement Officer Jeffery VanDecker’s Dec. 1 deadline to clean up two properties violating state junkyard laws.

There were also about nine Shedd Road residents attending the meeting who had that same goal in mind.

Properties of Levi Libby, 249 Shedd Road, and Aaron Fuda, 57 McKay Road, had been cited for noncompliance to state junkyard laws by VanDecker in letters dated Oct. 28.

Libby was at the meeting to explain his cleanup efforts; Fuda was not present.

VanDecker said he sent Fuda a registered letter on Oct. 28 and had not received a receipt notifying him that the letter was received. He said he sent a first class letter on Nov. 4. He said he would act upon the assumption the letters had been received concerning legal steps after Dec. 1.

VanDecker said there are five or six junk cars, 200 tires, appliances, televisions and other debris scattered about the McKay Road property that meets the definition of a junkyard.

State law says only two cars that are either unregistered or not inspected may be on someone’s property; more than that constitutes a junkyard.

VanDecker said he had talked to Fuda, who told him he could not afford to have the tires removed.

“He had the resources to create it. So he needs to find the resources to clean it,” Selectman Robert Walker said.

Selectman Leslie Flanders said the last time he rode by Shedd Road he noticed the contrast between the neat houses and Libby’s place, which he described as having five cars and a dumpster overfilled with trash.

Libby said he had taken care of that problem and sold four cars. He said he has room in his garage for three, which he will keep there, and plans to leave two outside.

Libby said the pair of unsheltered vehicles he is using as tractors to log his land. He said he owns 30 acres and within five years plans to build a home toward the back of the property.

“I’m not a rich man. I’m a poor man,” Libby said. “It took me 10 years to get on this property and it’s going to take another five years to get it to look as good as the neighbor’s (property).”

Libby said he cleaned the property immediately after a visit from Norway police and has been working with VanDecker.

He also said residents did not complain to him.

Shedd Road resident Susan Bradbury offered photographs of violations on the property and added that she and her children are also concerned about Libby’s two dogs.

“I haven’t come to see you because your dogs terrify me,” Bradbury said.

Shedd Road resident Ken Zerbst said Libby’s place had been looking like a junkyard for too long.

“Nobody wants to see the value of their property go down because of a mess,” Zerbst said.

At the board’s request, VanDecker said he would visit Libby’s property and note all the violations.

Libby said he would be in compliance by Dec. 1, except for a stack of lumber he might need more time to handle properly.

“The board is in agreement that we want it done and we want it done right,” said Selectman William Damon.

VanDecker said he would give the board a progress report at the Nov. 20 meeting.

In other business, selectmen agreed that the 1948 firetruck pumper – the Buffalo – should be put out to bid and instructed Town Manager David Holt to begin the process with advertisements.

Fire Chief Mike Mann said the vehicle was just sitting in a water department garage.

Selectmen also approved increases in the general assistance amounts for housing, food and general stipends. The rate for electricity did not change.

The rates are based on the amount of people in a family and the increases from last year range from about 7.3 percent to 8.7 percent.

For example, food assistance for a family of four increased from $434 a month to $471, an 8.5 percent increase.

jsmedley@sunjournal.com

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