TURNER — One of several residents told by selectmen this week to clean up their junkyards disputed the board’s claim that he even had a junkyard.

Most landowners readily agreed to meet the board’s request for improvement, but James Hanson said he did not have a junkyard on his property.

In fact, selectmen had suspended his junkyard permit at their previous meeting.

Hanson claimed he has a used-car dealership and that he “processed” cars at his 448 County Road property. He said all of the cars were for sale, awaiting repairs, awaiting paperwork, being stored while impounded by Maine State Police, awaiting processing or otherwise there legitimately.

Some selectmen and residents were uncertain about the meaning of “processing” vehicles and whether a license was required for that operation. Some seemed to think it was preparing vehicles to be crushed; others thought it meant preparing them to sell to those who processed them before crushing.

Several people seemed to know whether a permit was required, one claiming to have received a written warning from the state for a similar operation. However, there was no consensus.

Selectmen seemed inclined to bring the full force of law against Hanson’s operation. Selectman Ralph Caldwell said Hanson had one of the biggest junkyards in Turner. Caldwell said he had seen automobiles there that had not been registered since the 1960s, which he felt was too long to wait for paperwork or repairs.

Board Chairman Angelo Terreri said he had seen vehicles there with trees growing through them.

Hanson denied these charges and claimed his operation was completely legal.

When selectmen questioned Code Enforcement Officer Roger Williams about this claim, he said he could not cite an ordinance violation that applied to Hanson’s operation. Selectmen instructed Williams to obtain the applicable laws for review at their next meetings.

Selectman Kurt Youland said he had no objection to junkyards if they were out of sight and did not adversely affect neighbors. He and the other selectmen reported numerous complaints about Hanson’s operation.

While maintaining his claim that he was not in violation of any laws, Hanson said selectmen would see considerable improvement over the next two months.

In other business, the board asked the town manager to advertise by Thursday 12 tax-acquired properties for sale at auction. Once advertised, the town will no longer enter into buy-back plans with former owners. The auction will be by closed bids. Forms, instructions and property descriptions will be available at the Town Office.