Members Present: Rick Alpers (RA), Bruce Van Derven (BVD), Paul Fraser (PF), Steve Favorite (SF), Town Manager Elizabeth Corrow

Members Absent: Joe Denning (JD)

Chair Selectman Rick Alpers called the worksession meeting to order at 6:30pm.

Mr. Murphy stated many of the residents on Harriet, Ernest and Jonelle Drive would like the Town to accept these roads. He stated they want to work together and find out what needs to be done in order for this to happen. Town Manager, Elizabeth Corrow explained the road would need to meet town standards which are outlined in the town’s subdivision guidelines. She stated a good starting point would be to find out the cost to upgrade the road because it may be expensive, and suggested two possibilities for funding the project. She suggested either the residents fund the project or they can request a betterment assessment which is a loan through the town that the residents would pay back over time. A fee would be added to the tax bill of the residents that live on the specific road to pay off the loan. Mr. Murphy stated the town requires the roads in a subdivision to be built to certain specifications; however, they may not be up to town standards today. Mr. JP Morrison agreed and stated the roads were up to town standards when he did the subdivision. Recently, residents of the road walked the road with Mark Bucklin to assess the condition of the road. Mr. Bucklin had stated that the road was not currently up to town standards. There was question as to who owns the road and if anyone is paying taxes on the road. The residents also questioned whether they are receiving a break on their tax bill since they are not receiving town services. Mr. Alpers explained that once the lots are conveyed to the property owners, they become responsible for the road. He also stated there is no tax break to those that live on a private road and they do receive some town services such as public safety. Mr. Paul Fraser suggested the residents’ first find out how close the road is to town standards, then determine the costs and come to agreement on how it would be paid for. Ms. Corrow suggested that it may be easier to come to agreement by doing one road at a time. She then reviewed the process for a betterment assessment. She also stated the residents would all have to agree to do this upgrade. Mr. Bruce Van Derven suggested Ms. Corrow consolidate Bernie Waugh’s response for the property owners. The residents also questioned whether they need to have an engineer if the policy does not state that one is required. Ms. Corrow suggested to the board that they require use of an engineer that would work with the highway manager to ensure the road will meet town standards once the work is complete. She stated that the board could agree to allow the residents to choose this person, or the board could recommend an engineer. The residents were questioned by board to ensure that they now have clear direction and a plan to move forward. They confirmed that they did understand the process and thanked the board and town manager for facilitating the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35pm

Respectfully submitted,

Krystal Alpers

Administrative Secretary