BIDDEFORD — A proposal that would extend an ordinance designed to control disorderly behavior in residential rental property to bars and other businesses won initial approval by Biddeford City Council on Tuesday.
In 2011, said Police Chief Roger Beaupre, the city passed a “highly successful” disorderly housing ordinance, which has cut down on problem properties.
Under that ordinance, when there are a certain number of complaints of disorderly conduct with merit lodged against a particular apartment building within a specific time period, the building is labeled a “disorderly house.”
Once labeled a disorderly house, the property landlord or his/her representative is required to meet with the police department within five days to attempt to resolve the issues.
Disorderly conduct could include, but isn’t limited to: loud music, boisterous parties, underage drinking, loud noises and fighting in the building or in the vicinity of the building involving tenants or their guests.
If a property representative does not meet with police, the city can take legal action.
By the police department working with property owners, said Beaupre, “We’ve forged better relations between us and the landlords.
“None of them have been taken to court, and none have paid a fine,” he added.
Under the proposed amendment, commercial properties, like bars, would also be included in the ordinance. Some industrial and other businesses would be excluded.
Repeated incidents of disturbance of the peace, vandalism, or other unlawful activity by occupants or patrons could cause a business to be labeled a nuisance property.
Similar to a building labeled a disorderly house, if a property were labeled a nuisance property, this would trigger a mandatory meeting between the business owner or representative and police to work toward resolutions of the problems.
“There’s nothing new here,” said Beaupre, as the nuisance behavior detailed in the proposed amendment is already illegal under state law. “The only thing this does is force bars (or other businesses) to sit down with us.”
The proposal was not aimed at a particular business, he said, adding that several bar owners in Biddeford already work with the police to resolve issues as they arise.
“Our goal is to try to bring peace to the community,” said Beaupre, “not shut people down.”
Councilor Robert Quattrone said he was against the amendment.
“It sends the wrong message,” he said, to those who might be interested in opening a business in Biddeford.
Council President John McCurry said he was voting against the proposal since the violations were already covered by state law.
Another vote on the ordinance is required.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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