Police Say Jewelry Store Is Violating Town Bylaws

stood before the Board of Selectmen for the second time in two years on Tuesday night, arguing against the limitation, suspension, or revocation of their license. 

Police Chief Neil Ouellette alleges the 42 Maple Street business has been in violation of the town's bylaw according to Detective Robert Sullivan's findings. 

The bylaw states businesses like Danvers Coin, Jewlry and Estate Buyers "shall keep a book or printable computer record. Entered in this book or record, at the time of every receipt or purchase by the licensee, will be a description of the article purchased." The descriptions, Ouellette said, are requested so police can easily track stolen items.  

On behalf of the business owner, Stephen "Spleen" Eck, Attorney Seth Yora said the findings that Detective Sullivan found "proceeded on an excursion of innuendo, suspicion and belief, and enter into wild speculation."

This speculation, Yora said, is wrongfully damaging to Mr. Eck and his business. 

Eck's other representative, Attorney Elaine Burn, presented nine binders to the Board of Selectmen, each containing records, photographs, and descriptions of items that had been purchased by Eck. 

“Indeed Mr. Eck’s reports are far more detailed than those required by law,” Yorra said.

Ouellette argued the descriptions were not enough to help police in identifying stolen objects. 

"We need accurate and identifiable descriptions," Ouellette said, bringing forward several photographs of items that the business had labeled in a way that the department considered to be vague. The descriptions included "earrings," "gold ring," and "scrap gold necklace." 

Selectman Keith Lucy argued that the bylaw says "a description of the purchase," not a sufficient description of the purchase. 

"The only thing they're in violation of is bad descriptions," he said. 

Ouellette said the town had sent a letter to the business that clearly outlined their expectations and requested they comply with better descriptions. 

In 2011, Danvers Coin had been reprimanded when Danvers and Wenham police went to the shop looking for items that had been taken at a house break and the logs were not at the store, according to the Salem News. 

Selectman Gardner Trask said he agreed with Ouellete's allegation that the business was not in compliance with the town's bylaw. 

"These descriptions are not enough," he said, citing the photographs provided by the police department. 

By the end of the lengthy discussion, Lucy said "we're beating a dead horse here. The next step the town needs to take is to tighten up the bylaw language."

Eck was sent a letter with a reminder of the town's bylaws on Wednesday from the Town Clerk's Office. "The Board requests you familiarize yourself and comply with [the bylaw] at all times." 

The discussion will be continued at the June 19 Selectmen's Meeting. 

Do you think Danvers Coin is in violation of the town's bylaw? Let us know in the comments.