Select Board to investigate claims of 'junkyard' operation at 160 Bedford Street

LAKEVILLE — Lakeville Select Board members are puzzled about what to do with the 160 Bedford Street property that has amassed dozens of unregistered vehicles on its premises. 

At a public hearing held Monday, Nov.4 to review applications to allow for storage of unregistered vehicles at the property in question, Select Board members voted to continue the hearing after deciding not enough information was present to reach a verdict. 

The next public hearing will take place Monday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

The board reviewed two applications submitted by the property owner, JH Taylor Realty Corp, for licenses or permits that would authorize keeping unregistered vehicles on the property. 

JH Taylor Realty Corp, represented by property manager Ken Kupferberg, filed for a Class III license with the state as well as a municipal permit to store more than one unregistered or uninsured vehicles not housed in a garage on a property, as is stipulated in the town’s bylaws. 

According to Lakeville’s legal counsel, JH Taylor Realty Corp did not present “a proper application for a Class III license.”

To gain a better understanding of what’s happening on the property, members of the board will conduct a site visit of the property on Tuesday, Nov. 5. 

Decision-making was postponed due to remaining questions about zoning discrepancies on the parcel, as well as the environmental impact and public health concerns related to the operations on the property. 

Board members will also investigate abutters' claims that the property contains more than just unregistered vehicles and is operating like a ‘junkyard.” 

Kupferberg leases the 160 Bedford St. parcel to tenants who bring in vehicles, containers and other items, and ship them out, according to his attorney John Widdison. 

In August, the Town Administrator’s office sent a letter alerting Kupferberg that he had 21 days to remove the vehicles or present proof of registration, or he would be financially penalized. 

The Select Board voted to begin enforcing fines on the property for committing an “egregious” violation of the town’s unregistered vehicles bylaw on October 22. It is unclear whether these fines have been enforced yet.  

Since Oct.22, nearly 85% of the vehicles have been removed from the property, according to Kupferberg, who has said JH Taylor Realty Corp “wants to work with the town.” 

Abutters relayed how there are shipping containers on the property that and there is no knowledge of what’s in them.

In those containers “could be bodies for all we know,” said Donna Caetano, whose property is adjacent to the parcel.

Tim and Tara Wynn noted that business activity is still happening on the property despite the owner not having a business license.

Select Board members stated that until a verdict is reached, there should be no business operation happening on the property.