The owners of the former Zion Bible College campus have been given a few weeks to make a series of improvements to the property, following a Barrington Building Board of Review hearing last week.

Board members told the attorney for the property owners that they had 30 days to close up the broken windows and doors on the vacant campus; 60 days to complete improvements that required pulling permits; and they must also share weekly reports filed by the security company hired to patrol the 39.5-acre parcel located in the north end of town.

The former college campus has been targeted by vandals and others who have illegally entered the buildings, damaged the structures and even lit fires on the property.

Neighbors to the land have complained to town officials and the police department about ongoing issues. As recently as Thursday, Oct. 15, a resident had called police to report that teenagers had trespassed on the property and lit small bonfires.

Town officials cited the property's owner, Shineharmony Holdings, Inc. and Mi Guangchun with a notice of violation for a variety of problems and held an initial public hearing in early September. That meeting was continued to Thursday, Oct. 22.

William Landry, an attorney for the property owners, told members of the Barrington Building Board of Review that his client has been responsive to whatever problems have surfaced on the Zion campus. Mr. Landry said some of the issues have occurred during daylight hours when the security rounds are not as active.

David Topor, a resident who lives near the vacant campus, asked if there was a report available for the security rounds. Mr. Landry said the reports were being made on a regular basis, to which Mr. Topor asked if they were available for the public to see. Mr. Topor said the problems cited are very concerning, especially for people whose backyards abut the campus.

Board member Thomas Billups said he did not think the Building Board of Review had seen any of the security reports. He also asked if there was a way for the reports to be posted to the town's website.

Peter Skwirz, a solicitor for the town, said there were two ways of addressing issues with the property. The interim fix is to have the owners secure the broken windows and doors and make other repairs. The more permanent solution is to have the property developed. (Officials have long discussed turning the old college campus into a senior housing development.)

Mr. Skwirz also asked Mr. Landry if there was still a security detail patrolling the campus regularly. Mr. Landry said there was, and he later agreed to sharing security reports with the building official and police department on a weekly basis. (The reports will include the date and time buildings were checked and if any new breaches were discovered.)

Paul Armstrong, who heads up a nearby neighborhood association, said he had not seen any security details at property recently, although there had been a car stationed near the main entrance in the past.

Mr. Skwirz said the town would be willing to resolve the notices of violation as long as the property owners stay on track with the necessary repairs.

Barrington Building Official Dennis Begin said the property owners were working hard to meet the town's requirements. He added that some of the problems with the buildings, however, would likely worsen over the winter months. He said it was important to secure the buildings so that there were less chances people could get hurt there.

Patrick Connors made a motion to continue the hearing for 60 days, so that Shineharmony could complete the repairs. That motion passed unanimously.