WARWICK — The newest member of the Coventry Planning Commission has spent the last two days in the state prison after being found in contempt of several court orders arising from multiple zoning violations in Coventry.

Superior Court Judge Jeffrey C. Lanphear, at a hearing Monday afternoon, ordered that Michael P. Baird, 41, a Coventry businessman and developer, be held in the Adult Correctional Institutions until noon today, when he will appear again before the judge with his lawyer.

The matter is scheduled for further court review on Dec. 5.

For the past few months, according to court documents, Baird has ignored several temporary court orders stemming from multiple zoning violations and a permanent cease-and-desist order issued by the town against a gravel business he owns on Gibson Hill Road.

In a court hearing on Nov. 14 court, he admitted to contempt charges in the matter of the town’s complaints, and paid a $5,000 fine and posted a $50,000 bond with surety.

Adding to Baird’s woes, state Rep. Nicholas Gorham, R-Coventry, accused Baird of harassment, including blaring his car horn during early morning hours, since August. Gorham, a lawyer, represents James and Lee Steitz, who live next door to Baird’s gravel operation, and first complained to the town in January about his activities. Gorham sought an injunction against Baird in October.

Judge Lanphear had previously threatened to send Baird to the ACI. At Monday’s hearing, the judge ordered a sheriff to lead Baird away in handcuffs. Baird was also told to pay $1,500 in additional fines for three harassment incidents.

Gorham said yesterday that Baird was willfully in contempt of court and his actions had added up.

“The court yesterday was trying to bring peace and order to Coventry,” Gorham said. “The judge basically gave his decision — the remedy was not further fines, but the ultimate.”

Baird’s lawyer, Fred Volpe, of North Kingstown, could not be reached yesterday afternoon for comment.

About two weeks ago, departing Coventry Town Council members appointed Baird, who also runs Mike’s Tree Service and owns other properties in town, to the Planning Commission, despite his history of zoning violations.

The violations, going back six months, stem from the gravel business Baird operated without an approved soil erosion and sediment control plan and his opening of an office building at 1185 Tiogue Ave. without a certificate of occupancy. In June, town officials issued a cease-and-desist order, which Baird ignored. Town officials then took him to court.

lsparks@projo.com