Government at a glance
Board: Turner Selectmen
Met: Monday, Feb. 1

Ordinance
The issue: Gregory Spear’s Fern Street property is in violation of the town ordinance with regard to auto graveyard/junkyard issues.
The scoop: Code Enforcement Officer Roger Williams was before the board to seek an option for enforcement of a notice of violation, and presented photographs of specific violations including cars, auto parts and other refuse scattered across the property. Spear has been making progress cleaning up the property but has yet to address all violations.
Up next: The board gave him until May 31 to clean up the area. If the land use is found to be still out of compliance at that time, the town will initiate a land use citation and complaint and file with the court.

Zoning
The issue: Rodney’s Auto Repair on Route 219 is in violation of a home occupation permit issued by Planning Board. The permit allows for up to three vehicles on the property that are not for personal use; the number of vehicles is over that.
The scoop: The board also heard discussion regarding a request to amend the zoning ordinance that would change district uses on Route 219, which if passed would provide a solution to the situation, making it possible for the repair shop to have more than three vehicles at a time.
Up next: The board voted to place an article on the April 9 and 10 town meeting warrant to address this issue.

Sick time
The issue: The board reviewed the draft of the sick time bank plan and made progress with its development. 
The scoop: This plan is intended to replace the current personnel policy article for sick time, which allows accumulation of up to 960 hours of sick time; a percentage of which is payable upon employment separation in good standing. The new plan would create a bank that any employee could utilize up to 12 weeks for catastrophic circumstances. Also, beginning on July 1, the plan would provide 96 hours of time, and if unused by June 30, 2011, a portion of that time may be payable under certain circumstances, or would lapse back into the sick time bank.
Up next: A final review will take place at the Feb 16 meeting.

Labor citations
The issue: A review of the town by the Bureau of Labor Standards yielded 60 citations and that resulted in 10 penalties; payable by the town of Turner at $700 each.
The scoop: The board reviewed a letter from William Peabody, bureau director. Safety issues and record keeping have been brought up to date, rectifying 58 of the citations, but the letter noted two of the citations are being upheld.
Up next: Payment for the remaining citations of $1,400 will be sent and the town will continue to train all staff in safety and proper record keeping to maintain good standing.

Contact reporter Tammy Chamberland via phone at 689-2947 or via E-mail at [email protected]