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By Nathan Lamb
GROTON -- A man accused of secretly building a pond-side home in rural Groton has been fined $50,000 and ordered to seek the appropriate permits, according to local officials.
Located at the end of a long, gated driveway at 65 Island Pond Road, the house was discovered and shuttered by the town building inspector in early August. The structure has no permits of any sort, and was thereby deemed a violation of numerous building, sanitation and environmental codes. The town threatened legal action against the owner, Michael McCarthy.
Town Manager Mark Haddad said that several months of negotiations ensued from there, which culminated with McCarthy recently paying $50,000 to cover all local penalties. Haddad said the fine could have been even higher, noting the bylaws allow fines to be assessed on a daily basis for each violation. However, he said the town needed to be realistic about the penalty.
"It's very significant and it sends a message to pull permits when you need to pull permits," said Haddad.
The contact number listed for Michael McCarthy in the phone book was disconnected.
According to records at the building inspector's office, McCarthy's attorney in August attributed the situation to a misunderstanding with a now decreased contractor, saying the homeowner had no idea the proper permits weren't pulled.
Asked about that situation,
What requirements McCarthy must meet to secure permits for the house and dock on Massapoag Pond are unclear. Haddad said McCarthy is currently working on that with the Board of Health, Conservation Commission, Planning Board and building inspector. He added that building department fees are tripled for this type of circumstance and it's not a given that permits will be forthcoming.
"When he paid the fines, there was no promise from the town that he'd get the permits," said Haddad. "He has to comply with the law."
