Selectmen unanimously agreed to give Hillside Motel a 120 day license to operate on Tuesday night.

The motel came under fire in the Dec. 15 meeting for a number of violations, including a failure to maintain a proper fire alarm system, issues of cleanliness and building code violations. Additionally, Police Chief Mary Lyons and Selectmen were concerned with the high number of calls the town received due to disturbances and illegal activity at the motel in 2015.

Sonal Patel, who owns the property with her husband Jayesh, was tasked with bringing the motel up to code and maintaining a system where each new customer’s driver’s license must be faxed to the police department. Failure to do so would result in the loss of their license.

In the almost 30 days since the hearing with Selectmen, the Patels completed a number of improvements to bring the business into compliance with building and health code laws as well as implementing better practices, including more regular checks of rooms. In 2015, inspectors had found one room with clothes piled around a heating unit and others with missing or broken smoke alarms.

Patel said she already evicted one woman who had four cats, which was against the motel’s policy. Additionally, a man who caused repeated disturbances was removed with help from the police.

“I think she’s made some great effort to get a little bit better control of the clientele,” said Police Chief Mary Lyons.

Chief Andrew Murray said the Patels made “drastic improvements” since the December meeting, and Building Inspector Andy Bobola said, “The Patels have been very forth coming. They have handled this in a professional manner promptly.”

The Patels must still repave the premises, though that will have to wait until warmer weather.

In the meantime, Selectmen want to make sure they continue on the positive trajectory with the motel.

Selectman Jordan Collyer said he was pleased with the changes, and said it would help to keep problematic tenants away.

“Word gets out fast that you’ve changed the business and the business model itself,” he said.

Selectmen will review the motel’s license again in May.