6/28/2010 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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f - 3 Board of Selectmen Minutes ,lune 2 8, 2010 Public Forum—Proposed Conversion of Private to Town-Owned Roads. (continued) The Selectmen opened the forum to obtain public input. r A Sachem Road resident inquired as to the impetus of the betterment. The Selectmen responded by stating the roads as they presently exist are impassible for public safety vehicles and school buses during rain and other storms. As a result of the roads being impassable, it has been determined this.is an issue of public safety. IVlashpee resident Douglas Sample stated the roads as they presently exist cause traffic to move slower, and it is very safe for the children. Mr. Sample indicated if the roads were unproved, there may be an issue of public safety when the children walk on the roads to the beach area. In his opinion, the roads should remain private. Johns Pond resident Meredith Chadwick of 26 Canonchet Avenue noted that she has been a resident since the 70's. At the time,the DPW used to take care of the roads. She asked why the residents should take care of the F roads'now. Ms. Chadwick stated that Cayuga Avenue was recently paved and people are now driving too fast. Ms. Chadwick explained the betterment would create a financial hardship, especially with a special needs son. Ms. Chadwick asked what the taxes are doing for her now. IVIS. Chadwick also indicated she would like the tunes to go back to the 70's and loo's when everybody dict for everybody. In response,the Director of Public works indicated the Town of IVlahpee wi11 not plow the roads as they presently exist the natter of public safety. flowing a goad in disrepair would also damage DPW equipment. During IVIS. L urent's tenure as the DPW Director, the Town has not conducted repairs in this manner to private goads. It was also explained that in 1988, the conversion of streets from public to private began. Currently,there is 72 miles of Town-owned public roads. There is approximately 35 miles of private roads that could be considered for conversion in future years through a resident-initiated petition or via the bylaw whereby the Board of Selectmen with the assistance of the DPW Director annually review and designate private ways for consideration of conversion to public ways.