By MEAGHAN WIMS , Sun Staff
WESTFORD -- The owner of the Franklin Mill is under fire, with a criminal investigation reportedly underway and selectmen seeking "maximum fines" and a cease-and-desist order.
Town Manager Steven Ledoux told selectmen Tuesday night that local building and fire inspectors, conducting a building-permit inspection last Friday, found unpermitted businesses, an inoperable sprinkler system and a painting facility with inadequate ventilation at the mill complex at 69 Broadway St. owned by Chris Franklin.
The inspectors, Ledoux said, "could barely breathe" in the painting facility.
"We have some very serious issues with the property," Ledoux told the board.
Selectmen shook their heads.
"Maximum fines and an immediate cease-and-desist," Selectman Christopher Romeo said.
Further details of the alleged violations and yesterday's additional inspections could not be learned yesterday.
"Our agency was there to provide technical assistance to local officials," said Jennifer Mieth, spokeswoman for the state Department of Fire Services. "My understanding is the fire department issued an order of notice to the owner and they're working well with the owner to bring the building into compliance."
Ledoux had few details on the inspections yesterday.
"It's a criminal investigation," Ledoux said. "I don't know much more than that at this point."
Neither Fire Chief Richard Rochon nor the department's fire-prevention officer could be reached for comment yesterday. Building Commissioner Donald Kinney was also unavailable for comment.
Franklin, for his part, said the violations mostly center on "paperwork."
"There's a couple of violations by the tenants, a couple of fire-code issues," Franklin said outside the mill yesterday afternoon, after meeting with state inspectors. "Some stuff didn't get done with the proper permits. I'm not going to point fingers."
He declined to name the painting facility and said there are no ventilation problems. "We're getting the proper paperwork."
Asked about claims of faulty sprinklers, Franklin said, "That's a misnomer. The sprinklers work. I haven't had an annual inspection."
The circa 1877 mill, in the Graniteville neighborhood, houses Boston Kung Fu Tai Chi Institute, Dee's Purrfect Pet Spa, The Finer Consigner furniture warehouse and Avgen Inc.
Discussion of the Franklin property had been a permanent item on selectmen agendas every week for the last few years, until recently, so the board could keep track of the physical state of the property and the thousands Franklin had owed in back taxes.
Franklin has repaid all but roughly $300 of overdue taxes, Ledoux said.
Selectmen Chairman Dini Healy-Coffin said at Tuesday's meeting: "Put Franklin permanently back on the agenda. This is just incredible. It's been one thing after another. It's one thing not paying taxes, it's another putting residents at risk."
In the past, neighbors complained about debris on Franklin's property and trees he had cut down, Healy-Coffin said yesterday. A few weeks ago, Healy-Coffin complained to her board about a pile of debris outside a nearby Bridge Street property that Franklin owns.
"I have to say I am not the least bit surprised that this has occurred," Healy-Coffin said yesterday. "It is right within the character of that property and him owning it. It's terrible.
"There are people who live so close and are constantly being plagued by this mess, and now this illegal mess. It's a giant safety hazard. The board has asked that there be steep fines because it's a chronic problem. The building could blow up."
Abutters have worked to improve the neighborhood, Healy-Coffin said. "It's just not fair that they work as hard as they do to make the community better, for someone to constantly downtrodden the neighborhood and abuse the system."
Healy-Coffin said she expects selectmen will know more today on the results of yesterday's inspections.
Meaghan Wims' e-mail address is mwims@lowellsun.com.