PARIS — Selectmen are on board with interim Police Chief Jeff Lange’s request to implement a Disorderly House Ordinance so his department can deal with problem houses in town.

At the March 28 selectmen meeting, Lange presented the draft document and gave some background on why he wants an ordinance.

“We have problem homes in town and it’s a constant battle of what legal action we can do,” he said. “With a town ordinance, we have a little more teeth. Norway is very successful in enforcing that.”

Lange said he modeled the ordinance after Norway’s, which allows a house to be declared disorderly –  after a public hearing –  if police have responded to the residence multiple times within 30 days. Selectmen can then enter into a consent agreement with the owner to address the issues.

The disorderly house case can also be referred to the town attorney for legal action.

Violations of the ordinance, including failure to abide by a consent agreement, has a fine of not less than $100 or more than $2,500, plus attorney fees and costs.

One of the problem houses in Paris is 3 Pine Ridge, Lange said recently.

“It’s been an ongoing issue for a couple of years,” he said. There have been multiple noise complaints, along with issues of loud parties and alleged drug dealing at the residence, he said.

“The neighbors are fed up,” Lange said.

He said he didn’t want to share the location of other problem houses “because they’ve been quiet thus far.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” Selectman Janet Jamison said at a recently board meeting.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Mike Risica asked about hosting a special town meeting to expedite the process, saying he didn’t want to wait until the annual town meeting in June.

Town Clerk Liz Knox said a special town meeting could be set and two hearings on the matter would have to be held. One could be before the special town meeting and the second on the same day as the meeting.

No action was taken at the Paris selectmen meeting and the special town meeting will most likely be held near the end of May, according to Knox.

In mid-March, Norway selectmen saw success with their Disorderly House Ordinance. Issues at a problem house at 7 King St. were finally addressed after owner Oradell Pratt was able to evict two tenants.

Norway Police Chief Rob Federico reported to selectmen that his officers had been to the King Street residence 14 times in recent memory.

[email protected]