Grafton voters overturn junk ordinance

Grafton moderator David Ross opens the meeting.  Click any photo to launch the gallery. Photos by Cynthia Prairie

By Mark Burbela
Grafton
©The Chester Telegraph — 2014

In a 56 to 37 vote, the voters of Grafton defeated an ordinance that would have limited the number of unregistered vehicles that could be stored on a residential property and required screening from view of so-called “junk.”  The ballot was taken at a special town meeting on Wednesday evening, Sept. 24.

The special town meeting was set in early August after the Grafton Select Board approved the so-called junk ordinance in July. It had been immediately petitioned to referendum by residents who either disapproved of the ordinance or believed that it should voted on by the populace and not just the Select Board.

Select Board member Skip Lisle explains the reasoning behind the ordinance.

Grafton town moderator David Ross directed last Wednesday’s meeting while Green Mountain Union High senior Tylisha Blanchard passed the microphone around to residents who wished to speak.

The ordinance would limit the number of unregistered vehicles stored on a residential property and lists regulations concerning where and how personal property can be stored. The ordinance also contains regulations regarding fences or other viable options to hide junk from neighbors and major roadways.

Select Board member Skip Lisle read the junk ordinance and stated this ordinance had been passed by the board to address multiple complaints from residents. Lisle said that complaints have been coming in since 2002 and added that  the intent of the ordinance was not to “nit-pick”  through people’s properties and  belongings but to enforce in severe instances.

Many of the 102 audience members had issues with the “selective enforcement” of the ordinance. Replying to Lisle’s

Maureen Parker tells the crowd why she is for the ordinance.

statement, Bill Kerns said,  “If this ordinance is subjective and the board doesn’t want to go after everyone, you never know when it could or (when it) will be you.” Kern’s added, “I have an open garage. Is the Select Board going to make me put a stockade fence in front of it because you can see what’s inside?”

Select Board member Sam Battaglino said that the ordinance was not only passed to respect the wishes of residents regarding aesthetics but  to ensure quick response time from first responders.

Kent Armstrong, a former firefighter of 14 years, replied that he had had to climb over engines, car shells and other debris but that was the homeowner’s choice. Armstrong also stated that if first responders think the situation is too dangerous because of the junk, the responders can choose not to assist. He added that if a responder was hurt, the homeowner could be held legally accountable. Armstrong then emphasized that these choices belong to the homeowner and the homeowner would have to deal with the consequences.

Armstrong added that he was concerned that the ordinance was the beginning of zoning in Grafton.

Edward Arnold speaks against the ordinance.

Edward Arnold said, “As Americans and here in Grafton our rights are getting dissolved. … I grew up here, went to school here and watched most everyone else move away. I stayed because I love Grafton and the freedom here.”

Mike and Maureen Parker were among the few who spoke in favor of the ordinance. Maureen Parker said, “This ordinance is a state law and should be enforced. There should be no question. The law clearly states ‘four unregistered vehicles’ and some places in Grafton have 10, 11 or 12 junk cars.” Mike Parker said that if a “junk property” abutted the Windham Foundation, Grafton “wouldn’t deal with it for one week.”

After about an hour of civil comment and discussion, eligible residents cast their votes by paper ballots.To the cheers of most of the crowd, moderator David Ross announced that the ordinance was overturned 56 to 37.

Grafton voters line up to cast ballots last Wednesday.