RANDOLPH — The dumping issue at two Jones Streets residences has gotten so out of hand that the town has hired a second lawyer to handle the matter and similar complaints.

Selectman Ed Gorham said Augusta attorney Clifford Goodall has been hired to handle violations to the town’s garbage and junkyard ordinance and that town attorney John Larouche will continue to represent Randolph in other matters.

Gloria Fitzherbert, a former selectman who lives at 22 Maple St., has complained to the town about rotting garbage, unregistered cars, piles of old toys and furniture parts littering the two properties at 11 and 12 Jones St.

Gorham said the select board hired Goodall because “there were enough places in town where it’s happening and we continue to hear from folks who are concerned about it.”

Code Enforcement Officer Bob St. Pierre said Goodall has several people in his office who focus on similar cases in other towns.

As code enforcement officer for Randolph and Chelsea, St. Pierre said he has dealt with Goodall’s firm, which he said has had excellent results in such messy situations.

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“When you have more people, you have more time to address these types of things,” St. Pierre said Wednesday. “John Larouche has done an excellent job when it comes to finances of the town and projects. I think it’s fine that the town take advantage of other firms to handle violation aspects of legal representation.”

According to town records, Greg Roy and Donna Doray own the properties where the garbage has been dumped. Attempts to reach Roy and Doray for comment this week were unsuccessful.

Town Clerk Lynn Mealey said the town placed a lien on both houses in June for unpaid property taxes from 2010 and 2011. The couple owes more than $1,700 in back taxes for property at 11 Jones St. and $1,259 for the property at 12 Jones St.

Mealey said the couple has 18 months from this June to pay what they owe before the town forecloses.

“I’m on the end of Maple Street, so my backyard abuts their property,” Fitzherbert said. “The back part of their house is just full of toys and if you go to the side of their house, the step as you go in, that’s just covered with stuff. And then there’s the front yard — it isn’t any better.”

Fitzherbert said she was “miffed” at the select board for letting the problem linger for years.

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St. Pierre said he went to one residence to serve a notice of violation letter giving them 30 days to clean up, but no one answered the door. He also asked the town’s constable, Greg Lumbert, to serve the paperwork, but he has not been able to find anyone home either.

Goodall said St. Pierre sent out additional notice of violation letters to both residents with deadlines to clean up their property.

One of the deadlines was Dec. 15.

“He was going to do an inspection and let me know if it’s cleaned up,” Goodall said. “If it’s not, we will be asking the court to order them to clean it up. They’ll have to pay the town attorney fees. And if they don’t clean it up, the town will do it and add it to their tax bills.”

Goodall said such cases can be difficult to resolve.

“That’s because the people are either having problems or don’t appreciate the impact of what they’re doing has on their neighbors,” he said. “Procedurally they’re simple, but in terms of dealing with the people they’re not.”

Mechele Cooper — 621-5663

mcooper@centralmaine.com


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