$38,830 fine proposed in lead paint violation

PORTLAND – The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing that a Biddeford apartment house owner be fined $38,830 for allegedly not telling a family with a young child that an apartment had lead paint in it.

The EPA said the property owner violated federal law by renting an apartment to families with children under 6 without telling them of the presence of lead paint.

The EPA said the property is owned by an enterprise known as 94 Cleaves Street, whose president, treasurer and director is Priscilla Dunn of Scarborough.

According to the EPA, the Maine Department of Human Services ordered Dunn in 1998 to remove lead paint hazards from the apartment building, in accordance with Maine lead paint laws. After Dunn did not comply, the state took her to court where a judge ordered her to remove the hazards, said Newell Augur, DHS spokesman.

The building eventually was brought into compliance in 2001, the EPA said. Augur said nearly all the bill was paid for by the Maine Lead Poisoning Control Program.