JAY — By court order, two properties on Route 17 were cleared of junk Wednesday, ending a costly 16-year legal battle between the owners and the town, Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere said Thursday.
The front property is owned by the heirs of Leroy Pollis and the back piece is owned by his son, Darren Pollis.
Eleven police officers from Jay, Wilton, Franklin County and the state stood by in case of trouble between town officials and members of the Pollis family and their supporters.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Hartley arrested Halstead “Hal” Burhoe, 67, of Canton on charges of disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration, officials said. Burhoe was brought to the Franklin County jail in Farmington and released on $3,000 unsecured bail later Wednesday, according to the arrest log.
Police escorted the owner of Central Maine Disposal of Fairfield and six employees onto the property to clear it of junk. The court order allows the town to recoup the cleanup cost of $15,000 and any legal fees.
The town had tried since 1999 to have the owners comply with the state junkyard law and a local ordinance, town officials previously said. In March, LaFreniere told selectpersons the town had spent an estimated $11,000 in legal fees on the matter and expects to spend about $3,500 more by the time it is finished.
Code Enforcement Officer Ronda Palmer told selectpersons at a March meeting that there were several mobile homes in disrepair, piles of metal mixed with mattresses, about 50 tires and other junk.
The family was given until May 1 to remove the debris.
dperry@sunmediagroup.com
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