OXFORD — Debate about unsafe buildings, properties strewn with garbage and junk vehicles dominated Thursday night’s selectmen meeting.

Some residents of King Street and Webber Brook Road reminded town officials that some properties have been deemed unsafe or in violation of Oxford’s Property Maintenance Ordinance, which was adopted June 4, 2022. Its stated purpose is “to set a minimum standard for the maintenance of the grounds and buildings of a property in order to protect public health, public safety, and to prevent nuisance conditions.”

Patricia Thomas, a resident of Webber Brook Road, said the issues in her neighborhood have reached the point where some people are unable to enjoy their yards.

“I have worked on this for two years,” she said, adding that she has been dissatisfied with lack of follow-up from the town. “The codes are not being followed, if they were, there would not be five or six unregistered vehicles in people’s yards. You wouldn’t have garbage dumpsters overflowing, or mice and rats. It has turned into a health problem.”

Thomas said the stench of trash and rubbish is so bad at some residences that surrounding neighbors can’t spend time outdoors. She also pointed out that there are many unregistered vehicles in one yard that the people who live there park in the street, creating traffic issues.

“I was dog sitting Monday at one house on Independence Drive and saw a person come out and throw her trash in the yard because the rubbish dumpster is overflowing,” she said. “We have to figure out a way. It has never been so bad, and I’ve lived on Webber Brook Road for 45 years.”

Independence Drive is off Webber Brook Road.

This vacant house at 260 King St. in Oxford will be inspected and if condemned, officials will have it demolished. If the owner fails to reimburse the town for any expenses during the process, the property will have a lien placed on it, selectmen said.  Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat

King Street residents Jeff Tuttle and Claudette Pierce requested town officials take action on the vacant house at 260 King St., which was first deemed a safety hazard at least 10 years ago.

Board Vice Chairman Scott Hunter said the Fire Department had deemed it unsafe and in response the owner reshingled the roof. The building has continued to deteriorate and is partially collapsed.

Code Enforcement Officer Kingston Brown said officials could hire someone to board in the gapes and clean debris at a cost of $1,800 and place a lien on the property.

Selectman Sharon Jackson said that under the provisions of Maine’s dangerous building law, if the building is inspected again and condemned, the town has the right to have it razed and bill the landowner or place a lien on the property for the demolition cost.

She made a motion to have it inspected and if it fails have it demolished. Selectman Floyd Thayer seconded her motion and all five members voted to move forward with an inspection.

Returning to a capital equipment request that was tabled at a previous board meeting, Town Manager Adam Garland advised selectmen that the quoted prices he presented last month for portable radio sets for the Police and Fire departments are firm. The dealer, Dirigo Wireless, had quoted state bid pricing and could not provide further discount by combining the two departments’ radios into one order.

The landline communications system at the Public Safety Building on Route 26 was also tabled during the July 20 meeting for Garland to get a quote on replacing the system townwide. He said the proposal he received is based on internet service, but he needs to confirm that access at some locations will support the new system. He asked to present the project once he is confident there is enough bandwidth available.

In other business, selectmen unanimously approved a $4,000 grant from Walmart for police equipment.

Another agenda item, whether to change from an in-person annual town meeting to balloting at the polls, generated debate among board members.

Selectmen Caldwell Jackson and Sharon Jackson opposed ending the in-person meetings.

Floyd Thayer and Hunter favored holding a public forum to give townspeople the opportunity to state their preference.

Chairman Dana Dillingham said he prefers the in-person meeting but wants voters to weigh in. He asked Garland to gather anecdotal feedback from voters and find out if neighboring towns who cast ballots at the polls has improved participation in their annual town meetings.