West Paris officials are continuing efforts to address about 10 properties that violate the junkyard ordinance, a process that can take months or even years and carries significant costs for the small town.

One recent success sits at the edge of West Paris Village. A small house at 23 Pioneer St. once stood on a lot cluttered with vehicles and accumulated debris. A July 2025 photograph shows tires, a lamp, a dirt bike, a mattress, toys, tables, furniture, tools and other items scattered across the property.

“Animals were going in and out of there all the time,” Town Manager Joy Downing said.

Today, the debris is gone. Downing said the foreclosure process is nearing completion and the bank is expected to sell the home.

On Sumner Road, the property owner received several extensions through the end of July. Downing said the property had belonged to the owner’s mother and that the owner’s brother brought in tires and trash.

Two properties — 4 Churchill Hill Road and 103 Pioneer St. — are scheduled to appear on the court docket in August. At 4 Churchill Hill Road, selectmen granted the homeowner an extension from April until May 31, but no progress has been made, Downing said.

One property, she said, was the site of a SWAT raid last year. Officials said the home has no running water or electricity. The fire chief was met with guns at the door and will not return to the home.

Another property owner has been the subject of enforcement efforts following a fire.

“We have been trying to be sympathetic because it was due to a fire, but he has been staying there off and on, and he shouldn’t be staying there,” Downing said.

Downing said West Paris has had a junkyard ordinance on the books for years, but enforcement had lapsed. She said the Select Board — John Eli White, Wade Rainey and Shawn Boutilier — and Code Enforcement Officer Chris Summers are working together to enforce it.

‘WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE’

A 20-year resident of the town, Downing said the current effort is part of a broader attempt to improve the community.

“We are trying to get the community back to how it used to be,” she said. “Unfortunately things have gone downhill for a few years. It didn’t help with the school closing. We lost our post office; we have it back now. We’ve lost a lot of things. The general store as well,” Downing said. “I used to come here with my husband every Saturday morning for breakfast. Things have just deteriorated. We’re trying to get it back.

“This is a good community, good people,” she said.

Maine law gives municipalities authority over junkyards and automobile graveyards, and towns can enforce state standards even without a separate local ordinance.

Downing said neighbors and motorists frequently complain about problem properties. Residents submit formal complaints through the Town Office.

The enforcement process begins when Code Enforcement Officer Chris Summers receives one or more complaints. Summers inspects the property, consults with Downing and sends a first-class letter notifying the owner of the violation.

The letter begins, “There is a state statute. It has come to our attention you have an illegal junkyard,” Downing said of the initial notice.

If the issue is not addressed within 30 days, the town sends a certified letter. If there is still no response, officials typically consult the town attorney.

The process can be expensive for the town.

“Where we have such a small budget, we can only do a certain amount at a time,” Downing said.

She said attorney fees range from $200 to $300 per hour, and the cost of cleaning a property can add significant up-front expenses.

“The whole point is not to get people in trouble, we want to work with people,” Downing said. “The selectmen are willing to give extensions. But they need to come and show they are making progress.”