Paris contemplates rental ordinance

PARIS — The town may consider an ordinance that would authorize the fire chief to perform inspections on apartment buildings in the town for safety violations.

On Tuesday, Fire Chief Brad Frost said Maine statute gave him the authority to conduct inspections on buildings, but wanted to give the board a chance to comment on the inspections and discuss if it wanted an additional ordinance.

Frost was congratulated by the selectboard for alerting Senator Susan Collins about his concern about the state of some Section 8 housing units.

Frost's letter to Collins referenced the story in the Advertiser Democrat that uncovered the poor state of Section 8 housing and lack of inspection or oversight in the program.

A recent investigation by the Department of Housing and Urban Development found 87 percent of Section 8 units inspected were substandard and could place citizens at risk.

The revelations have encouraged some municipalities to place additional scrutiny on rental units.

Maine statute authorizes municipal officers, building officials or fire inspectors to enter into "all buildings and premises within their jurisdiction," to check for dangerous, fire-prone conditions.

Towns also have authority to order landowners to remedy dangerous conditions. Owners may appeal the decision within 24 hours. If owners fail to comply, there is a per day penalty of no less than $5.

State statute is derived from National Fire Protection Association standards.

Frost said the board might adopt regulation similar to Norway's rental occupancy  ordinance that would give enforcement more "teeth."

Additionally, Frost said some landlords owned property in Norway and Paris –  similar ordinances would provide continuity for towns, tenants and property owners.

"It's not to put anybody out of business," Frost said. "It's just to improve the life and safety of the people there and help the landlord out."

During Monday's selectboard meeting, Norway's Code Enforcement Officer Joelle Corey-Whitman told the board Frost had spoken with her about the town's rental ordinance.

As a resident of Paris, Corey-Whitman said she would be pleased to offer her help to the town and chief to design an ordinance.

Selectman Gerald Kilgore expressed his concern that the ordinance might affect older people whose houses and barns might be out of current standards. 

"I'm afraid it's just going to cost a lot of people a lot of extra money," Kilgore said.

Corey-Whitman countered that if the building was old and unsafe, people shouldn't be renting it.

Vice Chair Bob Kirchherr assured Kilgore any ordinance would apply only to inspection of rental units.

Board Chair Sam Elliot also had some qualms with an ordinance. He questioned how reasonable some standards, such as required window size, were. He said landlords bore the brunt of criticism for apartment conditions, although tenants were also responsible.

"The landlords take a beating when they put batteries in the overhead fire alarm and the tenants take them out," Elliot said.

"Hopefully you balance your proposal, considering both the landlords and the tenants."

Corey-Whitman responded that the regulations were very clear.

"If the town of Paris chooses to follow the NFPA standards chosen by the state fire marshal's office, it's very clear what are safe standards for life safety."