Southport Code Enforcement Officer Henry Berne recently issued a violation notice to Diane Blasco for misuse of a boathouse on her property at Cameron Point.

Over the past several weeks, neighbors brought the possible violation to the attention of Berne and the selectmen due to the extent and nature of the work being done on the structure. Neighbors expressed concern that the boathouse is being used as a bunkhouse, which is prohibited by town ordinance.

In response to the information, Berne visited the boathouse on June 30 accompanied by assistant code enforcement officer Jim Gagnon and Selectman Gerry Gamage. “What I saw was a mattress on the floor and two beds on frames,” Gamage reported.

The formal notice of violation was sent to Blasco on July 5. In the letter, Berne reminded Blasco that her April 14 building permit was to replace the boathouse windows. The letter states, “You have turned your boathouse into a bunkhouse, which is not an approved use,” and is a violation of town ordinances.

Berne’s letter also explains that violations carry civil penalties of $100 to $2,500 per day.” The town asks Blasco to immediately cease using the boathouse as a bunkhouse, remove the beds and mattresses within seven days of receiving the letter and to contact the town office after doing so. According to the letter, the town will require Blasco to enter into a consent agreement, admit to the violation and pay attorney’s fees and a fine.

Since the letter was sent, Berne reports that the beds on frames have been moved to another location inside the boathouse.

Blasco, a resident of Connecticut, purchased the former Stickney property last October. The 1830s cape has 190 feet of frontage on Ebenecook Harbor. In a phone interview with the Register, she said the boathouse has water service and she added electricity so that there would be lights for people who might be there after dark. Blasco emphatically denies that she is using the building as a bunkhouse.

“I called the DEP to understand what the laws are,” she said. “I wanted clarification.” Blasco said she is not trying to “turn the boathouse into something it’s not meant to be. That was not my intent nor will it be.”

Blasco said she has a great appreciation for older properties and is trying to enhance what is there, not “knock it down and build new. I’m trying to be prudent about how I go about it. We’ve done some hard work there.” She said she is looking at options with a right of way and is considering placement of the garage.

Berne believes that this is one of very few times he can remember when discussions with an owner resulted in a letter. “Usually, we just want to get things done,”  he said. He and Gamage have requested a meeting with Blasco to discuss the matter further. The time and day have not yet been decided.