JAY – Selectmen unanimously voted to grant a total of $1,053 in sewer abatements Monday to several people.
As part of the group of abatements selectmen also reconsidered one abatement that was previously denied after checking water district records and giving the person the benefit of the doubt.
William Visconti had requested an abatement for 2004-05 claiming the building had been vacant four years, which water records didn’t support.
Records did show there was water consumption at 23 Church St. from April 29, 2004, to July 29, 2004. But the water records didn’t break it down to when the last 200 cubic feet or 1,496 gallons of water were used. If it was in May or June of 2004, then Visconti would be eligible for an abatement for fiscal 2004-05, but it if it was used after July 1, 2004, then he wouldn’t be, Superintendent Mark Holt said Monday.
Quite honestly, Holt said, someone could have used the water in May or June.
Water records did show, Holt said, that the building was apparently not occupied as a residence from July 26, 2004, to Oct. 31, 2005.
Selectmen’s Chairman Bill Harlow said that looking at the records, water use did decrease consecutively in previous quarters from 800 cubic feet to 600 cubic feet down to 200 cubic feet.
Selectmen decided to grant an abatement of $87.50, half of the $175 annual sewer fee back then.
Others granted abatements were Alice Cornelio, $92.50; Paul Gilbert, $92.50; Larry Michaud, $370; Lucien Plourde, $185; Terry Trask, $46.25 and Bryan Walker, $180.
In other business, selectmen signed a warrant for dogs that are unlicensed. Owners face a $25 late fee, license costs and a possible court summons. Sixty-six dogs have been licensed since Thursday when an article appeared in the Sun Journal, Town Manager Ruth Marden said Monday.
In a separate matter, Selectman Rick Simoneau told resident Jimmy Ouellette he would talk to the Diaz family about a man who has been living in a truck camper on the Diaz’ property at the former Jay Family Restaurant for about 18 months.
Harlow and Police Chief Larry White Sr. said they have looked into the case, and there is nothing the town can do since the man has permission to live on the private property. The man has been asked to park facing Route 4 in front of the building so as not to disturb neighbors.
Town officials and police have contacted various services for the man, but he has refused them, Harlow said.
On another topic, White explained that police notify neighbors when a sex offender moves into that neighborhood. But sometimes the notification is done and then new people move in and they miss the notification, he said.
People may always call the police to see if there is a sex offender in the neighborhood or check on the state’s sex offender registry, White said.
Attorney Tom Dean, representing clients considering buying Steppin’ Out in North Jay questioned whether the business, if it changed ownership would be grandfathered for adult entertainment since they read that the town is considering adopting an adult business ordinance.
Harlow said the town is gathering information at this time and no ordinance exists.
Prospective buyers would like to bring in male and female strippers once a week. Steppin’ Out has had female exotic dancers as entertainment weekly in the past.
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