Editor's Note: The number of homeless families living in the motel has been changed to accurately reflect the latest number.

The town of Danvers is taking legal action against Days Inn, based on alleged violations of the sanitary code. 

Danvers Health Director Peter Mirandi told the Board of Health that the town filed on Thursday morning in housing court.

Mirandi said chronic dampness, which propagates mold, was one of the major concerns at the 152 Endicott Street motel. 

"[Days Inn] should meet the minimum fitness for human habitation," Mirandi said to Board members. 

As of last week, there are currently 58 families, including more than 80 children, living in the motel. 

Some of the families, Mirandi said, have been living in the motel for more than a year, which makes it harder to maintain the space. 

In some situations, sinks in the bathroom area were blocked up, possibly because the area had been used as place for food preparation, he said.

Mirandi said he worked alongside Danvers Health Inspector Mark Carleo and Karen Nelson, the town's director of planning and human services, to devise a plan. 

Mirandi said Days Inn is "cooperating to some extent" but needs outside help to fully comply. 

On Tuesday, Town Manager Wayne Marquis reported to the Board of Selectmen, the town has seen an increase in the number of homeless families among the four Danvers motels.