DIXFIELD – Code enforcement officer Jay Bernard updated selectmen Monday night about frustrations with two cases he’s pursuing. One involves an alleged junkyard, the other a reportedly dangerous building.
Without naming names, Bernard said owners of a property at the corner of Dix Avenue and Weld Street would be fined $250 to $500 for failing to address violations that he found.
“They want to run a scrap-metal business out of that yard, but it’s within 300 yards of a school, so they can’t do it,” Bernard said.
“But, these people are hellbent on being junk dealers in a school zone. They’re going to keep bringing junk in,” he added.
Bernard said he spoke with an assistant district attorney, who told him to inspect the place again and make a recommendation.
Of that inspection, he said the owners had “made a very good good-faith effort” to remove offending junk, “but it still looks like a junkyard.”
Selectmen recommended that he discuss the matter further with the district attorney’s office.
Regarding the other matter, Bernard asked selectmen to deem as dangerous an abandoned six-unit apartment building at 13 Main St.
He said the building contains rotting garbage, junk inside and outside, and is unsecured, meaning people can walk through it.
“There are refrigerators and washing machines inside there, and children can get into these and die. A bum could even go in there and start a fire,” Bernard said.
He said he gave the landlord a week to remove the hazards and secure the building, which doesn’t meet the town’s adopted fire standards.
Selectmen chose not to act until after the grace period ends.
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