AUBURN – The way the town sees it, William Whitman violated Turner’s ordinances when he stored junk cars and other trash on his land. The town wants him to clean it up, promise not to do it again and pay more than $100,000 in fines.
Whitman, a self-described “accumulator” sees it differently, he said Wednesday in Androscoggin County Superior Court.
He has no junk, he said. He plans to use or sell each of the items stored behind a fence in his yard at 388 Upper St. Several of the station wagons are used as storage sheds for farm equipment, he said.
What he can’t use or sell, he has offered free to the needy. Burying the stuff in a landfill would be “criminal and a waste of scarce natural resources and money,” he read from a handwritten statement.
For the past two years, he has been selling his wares online at eBay or other auction Web sites.
Whitman’s trial lasted about three hours, ending at noon. He represented himself and waived his right to a jury. Too expensive, he said. Justice Ellen Gorman promised a decision in 30 days.
James Belleau, Turner’s lawyer, called two witnesses: Whitman and town Code Enforcement Officer Roger Williams.
Williams said Whitman lacked the necessary permits to have an automobile graveyard and junkyard. He was cited twice for the violations, the first time in May 2003.
Whitman, sporting a long beard and hair to his shoulders, said the town has no business dictating aesthetics.
“As far as my place looks, if you are driving on Upper Street at the posted speed limit, you would be the first person to ever do that,” his statement said. “However, if you were, you would get to be horrified by my awful mess for exactly 1.2 seconds. I don’t think you’ll need therapy.”
In 1998, he agreed to put up a fence. He hoped that would bring an end to the controversy. But it didn’t. The town eventually sued.
Whitman said he’s the victim of sprawl.
“I know the town would like all the houses on Upper Street to look picture perfect so that those driving through would want to move to Turner, build a house and increase the tax revenue. But us old timers don’t want any more people to move here and complain about how my house looks.”
The town’s zoning ordinances are “poorly written, vague and non-definitive,” he said. He shouldn’t be expected to comply with somebody’s interpretation, he said.
The town is seeking $104,900 in fines plus lawyer’s fees. Belleau said his costs to date, not including trial preparation and time in court Wednesday, total about $3,000.
Whitman said he won’t pay. Expecting a judgment favoring the town, he already plans to appeal, he said afterward. “I think I’m screwed,” he said.
When he comes to court the next time, Whitman said he plans to bring a lawyer.
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