Town of Canton
Office of Code Enforcement
June 24, 1997
Raymond Fortier
PO Box 621
Sabattus, ME 04280
Dear Mr. Fortier,
On November 18, 1996, I notified you verbally that you were in violation
of section 14 of the Canton Shoreland Zoning Ordinance at your property
near the Dam on Canton Lake in the Shoreland Zone. For failing to get a
permit to build a masonry structure you had built within 25 feet of the
high water mark of Canton Lake and for locating a trailer within 25 feet
of the high water mark.
To date you have refused to apply for a permit for the trailer and have
refused to move it.
You have also not complied with the request for additional information
the planning board requested for the cement block structure and therefor
have been denied a permit.
On June 24, 1997, I notified you verbally that you are now also in violation
of Section 15-P of the Canton Shoreland Zoning Ordinance for cutting
existing vegetation under three feet in height and cutting all the existing
trees in the Shoreland area up to the bank of Canton Lake along sections
of your property.
At that time you indicated to me that you intended to cut all of the
vegetation along the lake on your property and also intended to rip rap
the shoreline. When I indicated to you that you needed a Shoreland Permit
from the town and that the Ordinance would not allow what you have done
and intend to do, you said your private consultant said that you could do
it and therefor you were going to do it regardless of what the town said.
Section 14 of the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance states that Commercial and
residential structures need a permit from the planning board.
Section 15-P states that only selective cutting within the buffer strip is
permitted and that a well distributed stand of trees and other vegetation
be maintained. This section also states that existing vegetation under
three feet in height and other ground cover shall not be removed.
Because you have destroyed all of the vegetation up to the water in
several locations along your property I must hereby order you to replant
the areas that have been cut with similar ground cover within 10 days.
Because you do not have a permit for either the trailer or the cement block
building I must hereby order you to remove these structures within 10 days.
Failure to comply with this order may result in court action against you
and you may be required to pay a fine. Section 16-H of the Shoreland
Zoning Ordinance states that any person who violates any provision of the
rules is guilty of a civil violation and is subject to a fine of up to
$2,500 per day for each offense. The town will also seek legal fees and
injunctive relief in this action. In order to minimize the amount of the
fine which a court could award against you if the Selectmen decide to seek
court action, I encourage you to correct the violations and contact me as
soon as possible for an inspection.
As permitted by Section 16 of the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance an appeal of
this enforcement action may be taken to the Zoning Board of Appeals within
thirty days of the date of this order, by submitting to the clerk of the
Zoning Board of Appeals a written statement and application of the relief
request and why it should be granted. Failure to exercise this administrative
procedure will jeopardize your right to appeal.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Marble
Code Enforcement Officer
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