Grafton residents petition junk ordinance to town-wide vote

By Mark Burbela
Grafton
©The Chester Telegraph – 2014

Although the Grafton Select Board meeting on Monday, Aug. 4 was slated to be short because of an executive session to discuss a personnell matter and a proposal that a portion of a public roadway be turned into a private road, there was much discussion about the newly passed junk ordinance, and a petition to bring the ordinance to a town-wide vote was submitted.

The board had passed that ordinance on Monday, July 21,  in an attempt to address numerous complaints about junk stored at private residences and to ensure state assistance in enforcement. Not everyone in attendance was for the ordinance.

Last Monday’s petition was submitted to the Select Board by Ken Armstrong, with the required 25 voter signatures to bring the revised junk ordinance to a referendum. The signatures must be confirmed by Town Hall for the referendum to occur.

Al Sands and Don Dougal both signed the petition and said lack of public awareness and involvement in the decision to pass the ordinance was the main reason for the petition.

Al Sands and Don Dougal both signed the petition and said lack of public awareness and involvement in the decision to pass the ordinance was the main reason for the petition.

Select Board member Sam Battaglino said that public involvement is always welcome but urged “people need to take part now, not after something has been passed or at the end and then ask for more postponements.”

Speaking to others in attendance, resident Liisa Kissel said, “The Select Board acted in response to numerous complaints.”

Sands stated that although he was in favor of a junk ordinance, he thought the public should be allowed to vote on the issue, not just the Select Board.

Resident Eric Stevens said he was fully against the ordinance, adding, “I see it as a philosophical shift.” Many  expressed concern that the new ordinance may be a stepping stone toward zoning regulations. Currently there are no zoning regulations in Grafton.

Many  expressed concern that the new ordinance may be a stepping stone toward zoning regulations.

There also remained some confusion about what is classified as junk.

The ordinance allows up to four unregistered motor vehicles per property, but the items must be stored in an area that is not “visible from the main traveled way of a highway or town road, or visible to an abutting property owner from that portion of the abutter’s land used on a regular basis.” Decorative items or seasonally used equipment such as farm machinery or snowplows are not affected by the ordinance.

A special town meeting will be held for public comment and vote. The date will be determined at the next Grafton Select Board meeting a 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18 at  Grafton Elementary School, 58 School St.