Licensees under zoning scrutiny

By Karen Trainor CORRESPONDENT

BROOKFIELD— Businesses in town applying or renewing a Class II license will now be subject to a zoning inspection.

On Tuesday, selectmen voted to have the zoning enforcement officer, police chief, Board of Health and other town officials check the properties of Class II licensees and report to selectmen by March 15.

Selectman Rudolf Heller proposed the inspections after voicing concern about zoning violations.

“Noncompliance with town bylaws is contagious,” Mr. Heller said, adding, “I see a creeping (in) of unpermitted activities around town.”

Selectmen last week postponed acting on a Class II license renewal request for Mundell Sales on Fiskdale Road, pending a check on possible zoning violations.

Mr. Heller said Tuesday that Zoning Enforcement Officer Gary Simeone reported Mundell Sales is not in compliance with zoning bylaws. He cited violations of storing more than one inoperable motor vehicle on site, as well as open-air storage of salvage materials or junk. Selectmen did, however, approve the Class II license for Mundell Sales in their Tuesday meeting. They also voted in the new inspection process for all Class II licensee holders.

Selectmen said violations reported to their board by the March 15 deadline will be forwarded to each licensee.

“We will then decide what action will be taken, either immediately or next year, when the license comes up for renewal,” said James W. Allen, chairman of selectmen.

In other business, selectmen said they will recommend the town Safety Committee approve a stop sign be erected at the intersection of Long Hill and Martin roads.

According to Police Chief Ross B. Ackerman, there are now more than a dozen homes in that area and traffic has more than tripled.

NEWS SOURCE