ARUNDEL — Bentley’s Saloon & Campground in Arundel may be in a bit of hot water due to a potential violation of the Arundel Land Use Ordinance.
According to Town Manager Todd Shea, Code Enforcement Officer Jim Nagle received a written complaint around May 18 of this year that additional campsites not allowed by the ordinance had appeared on owner Bentley Warren’s property off of Route 1.
Shea said that Nagle’s last inspection took place on June 29, and that Nagle had approached Warren to ascertain whether there was a plan in place to remove the campsites. Neither Nagle nor the town have yet received an answer.
“(Nagle) is asking for guidance on how to proceed with those violations,” said Shea. “We have two options: We can have Bentley (Warren) appear before the board, or pursue the matter legally.”
The town is hoping to avoid any legal issues, and on Monday night the board of selectmen agreed to give Warren until its next scheduled meeting, on Sept. 12, to address the violation.
“I’ve suggested going with Jim (Nagle) to meet with Bentley and give him a chance to draft a plan for what he intends to do,” said Shea.
The campsites in question are located on the campground adjacent to Warren’s motorcycle-themed saloon on Route 1. Selectman Mark Paulin said that he had heard, anecdotally, that Warren had pulled the nine additional campsites out of service.
However, in order to fall into compliance with the ordinance, Warren would have to remove those campsites completely.
A spokesperson for Bentley’s could not be reached by press time.
“We’re going to do what we have to from our end,” said Paulin, whether that entails legal action or pressuring Warren to comply.
Selectman Tom Danylik took a hard line on the Bentley’s situation.
“He had 38 (camp) sites, and then he put nine in,” said Danylik. “He had to know that (he wasn’t in compliance).
“I would assume the sites make money for him,” he said. “That’s why they’re there. We can’t just sit on this. I don’t have a problem setting some deadline, but with the understanding that there’s going to be some penalties if something isn’t done.”
Shea said that Warren has been eager to comply with town policies and ordinances in the past, and that the town will only seek legal recourse as a last resort.
— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 319 or jlagasse@journaltribune.com.
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