Material in town right-of-way worries Weston board

By Bruce Frauman
© 2016 Telegraph Publishing LLC

The three members attending the Weston Select Board meeting of Nov. 21 spent much of their time discussing how to approach a Longley Loop resident about his possessions that encroach on the town’s right-of-way. Jim Linville, who was acting as chair in Denis Benson’s absence, said the situation “gets worse every year.”

Road Foreman Almon Crandall said he can plow, but “can’t guarantee he won’t hit his stuff.” Currently there is a pile of lumber in the town’s right of way. In fact, Linville said, the deed for the property “says he owns only up to the town right-of-way except where there is a building. He owns to the edge of the barn.” This means that “all the stuff he’s got up against the barn is not on his property, it is on our property.”

This interpretation has to be confirmed by a lawyer, according to Linville and board member Annie Fuji’i.

Before they seek the guidance of a lawyer, Linville,  Fuji’i and Crandall will meet with the Longley Loop resident to see if an agreement can be reached.  Fuji’i said the town needs to enforce its right-of-way. Fuji’i said she also will offer help if it is needed.

Board member Bruce Downer said that “this has been happening quite a while and we are not getting the result we need to be,” although members said that, in the last few months, some of the material has been moved away from the road.

In other business, Fuji’i reported that the Conservation Commission and the Community Association have formed a task force to look into a beautification plan for Cold Spring Brook Park in the short term and the dams in the longer term. The Conservation Commission submitted a report in January 2016 stating that the dams are deteriorating and need attention. They are owned by the Community Association.

The board agreed to allow Select Board Administrative Assistant Cheryl Barker to borrow a hand held radio as a test to see if she and Town Treasurer/Clerk Kim Seymour can contact the road crew, ahead of purchasing a unit for town office use. An individual unit costs $350. Linville noted that the alternative is a base station with an external antenna that would have a much larger range.

Also, Baker gave the board a template for a new evacuation plan from the Windham Regional commission for the board to review and approve.