March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Building with no permit weighed

GREENVILLE — The Board of Selectmen heard a request Wednesday from a couple who had constructed a combination garage and office on Blair Hill without a permit.

James and Sheryl Kilburn asked selectmen for a consent agreement for the garage. The couple received an after-the-fact permit for the building, which later was denied by the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals because the building violated the requirement of a 50-foot setback from the roadway.

Because the Kilburns did not reapply to the appeals board for a variance within the allowed 45 days specified in the ordinance, they asked selectmen for the consent agreement.

After reviewing a list of previous consent agreements made by selectmen for past violations of the town’s land-use ordinance, selectmen directed Town Manager David Cota to get a legal opinion on whether the Kilburns could be allowed to make their appeal again to the appeals board.

In another matter Wednesday, selectmen denied six requests for reduced property valuations. Cota said a market study and revaluation of properties will be done next year.

Some of the requests were from residents who claimed the value of their property had decreased because of the junk cars at an auto body shop operated by Russell Ryder.

Believing that Ryder may have exceeded the conditions of the permit granted by the Planning Board, selectmen directed Cota and Sharon Libby-Jones, code enforcement officer, to work on a solution with Ryder.

Also, a special meeting was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, to discuss the privatization of the Public Works Department. This issue has been discussed and studied for several months.

Some town officials and residents say that contracting out these services would save the town considerable money. A proposal is expected to be presented by the selectmen soon.

In a joint meeting with Police Chief Duane Alexander, selectmen also discussed the progress the new chief had made with the department and any needs he might have.

Selectmen agreed to seek some additional funds in the budget to send Bill Chandler, the town’s other police officer, to the Maine State Police Academy in February.


Have feedback? Want to know more? Send us ideas for follow-up stories.

comments for this post are closed

You may also like