Hebron discusses meaning of 'junkyard'

HEBRON — The difference between a junkyard and a salvage yard was discussed by the Board of Selectmen at its meeting Monday, after Code Enforcement Officer Bill Kennedy announced that Jayson Nelson, who owns a car repair business in town, is seeking a salvage dealer and recyclers license.

"It sounds like a junkyard," said Selectman Jim Reid, of the site, located on Birch Way.

Kennedy assured Reid that it isn't. In fact, "he states specifically ... how much oil [he intends] to keep on the site at any given time, or how many tires he'll have. It falls well below the minimums that are necessary for a permit," said Kennedy.

Selectman Dan Eichorn said that Nelson does, in fact, meet town standards as far as how much oil and how many tires can be on a property at any given time.

"It is well below what the ordinance has for limits," he said.

According to Kennedy, a facility is allowed to have up to 100 tires and up to 500 gallons of waste oil on the property. Kennedy said that Nelson intends to have only 50 gallons of oil on hand at a time and "substantially less" than 100 used tires.

"His intent is to buy cars from insurance companies, that have been damaged and salvage what he can," said Kennedy. "We have no cause to prevent it."

Reid said that he is worried about the site turning into a junkyard. "You know how those things happen, though. They start out with good intentions. Next thing you know, you have too many cars there."

Kennedy said that Nelson can have no more than three unregistered vehicles on his property at a time, and the vehicles must be in the process of being repaired. Any more than that, and the lot becomes a junkyard, said Kennedy.

Eichorn said that, "if you are above those levels, then the planning board has to do something," but according to last week's planning board meeting, Nelson meets all the requirements.

Kennedy told the selectmen that he would keep an eye on Nelson's lot.

Kennedy will sign the state application to grant Nelson the salvage dealer and recyclers license.

"If it develops into the definition of a junkyard," said Kennedy, "I can approach him and inform him he has to have a junkyard license."

In other news, the board:

• Heard from Eichorn that Joan Francis has agreed to be the interim chair of the planning board. He also said that the planning board is seeking two regular members.

• Heard from Road Commissioner Warren Packard that everything is going well at the transfer station. Eichorn said the only concern he has is whether items were  being broken up before getting thrown into the roll-off bins to reduce the frequency of hauling them off.

• Discussed the need for a town sand/salt shed. Packard said that without a shed, the town is losing about 25 percent of its salt to rain, which equals about $5,000.

• Signed two property tax abatements.

• Signed General Assistance Ordinance appendices A, B, and C.