A man living illegally on a landlocked parcel off Witchtrot Road has relocated, and the makeshift shelter built in violation of town regulations was removed after complaints from hikers and neighbors.
Before the cleanup in July, neighbors had filed trespassing complaints against Travis Webber, 43, resulting in two arrests earlier this year as he tried to access his 7.38-acre lot, according to Deputy Chief Scott Stephens.
“This trespassing issue had been going on for some time,” Stephens said, noting Webber was charged with trespassing in February and again in April. Webber has a history of run-ins with the law dating back to at least 2008.
While addressing the trespassing issue, Stephens said, “Officers observed a yurt-type building and large amounts of trash on the property and informed code enforcement of this.”
Code Enforcement Officer Jenifer McCabe said the structure was built about nine months ago on unbuildable property without the required permits.
The structure was removed on July 28 by a company hired by Webber’s family, according to McCabe.
Erin McGann, behavior health liaison for the town, said she helped the family locate alternative housing for Webber.
Town property records indicate the land is co-owned by Jennifer Morang of Stockton Springs.
“The owner will have to go through the permitting process in the future and prove the right to access before any permits are issued,” McCabe said, adding, “One of the owners hired and assisted a local company for the cleanup.”
Webber was not on the site the day of the cleanup and the department has not had any more reports of trespassing since that day, Stephens said.
At the Aug. 12 Town Council meeting, Town Manager Pellerin and McCabe described what Pellerin called an “illegal encampment cleanup.” Pellerin thanked McCabe for her oversight of the cleanup, and McCabe thanked McGann and Officer Jason Legendre for their help.
“Erin and Officer Legendre assisted code enforcement by Erin being available for a little bit for the family if needed on the morning of clean up,” McCabe said. “Officer Legendre went above and beyond to ensure all abutters and code enforcement were safe during the entire process.”
Now that the area has been cleaned up, McCabe said, “The notice of violation has been lifted.”
Webber had been living in the structure, “some kind of two-sided tent,” according to a neighbor.
“This was an isolated situation, just one person,” McGann said. “We were able to reach his family, and he now has housing.”
Webber’s history of run-ins with police includes a June 2023 arrest and charge of illegal possession of firearms; a 2020 arrest in connection with an alleged armed robbery at a hotel in York; a 2010 charge of armed robbery; and a 2008 charge of skipping out on a bar tab, to which he pleaded guilty.
Asked for an update on the 2023 case, Stephens said, “I don’t have any more information.”
While free of encampments, South Berwick still has folks facing “lots of housing insecurity,” said McGann, adding that she works with town staff to provide help. “Sometimes people get overwhelmed, so we brainstorm solutions with them.”
McGann suggests people with financial challenges take advantage of the local food bank to save money for other bills. She noted that the town is available to help in emergencies.
