Fear has settled into the town of Livermore. It is depriving citizens of the road easements of years past. These easements are useful, useable and legal.

Fear comes in many forms, through physical or mental abuse, subjective, intimidation, etc. One of the saddest forms is when it controls a town for the benefit of one of their citizens. The fear I write of here is intimidation and a cost factor.

The intimidation comes from a pig pen and trailer loads of chicken manure dumped close by a neighbor’s front door. The cost factor is selectmen’s concern over possible litigation.

Should we, the people, be willing to give up our rights because of fear? I think not.

This introduction leads up to the Batten Road controversy. The Batten Road has an easement set forth around 1822 for the public’s use. Now, for the benefit of two landowners, the townspeople are deprived of the use of Batten Road because of boulders and ditches put in the roadway by these landowners.

The selectmen have stated that any possible verbal agreement given in past years should not prevent citizens from using the right of way, but they refuse to force the issues. The selectmen appear to believe their fear of litigation and cost can be eliminated by depriving the townspeople of their rights. How long should we be held hostage to fear?

Robert W. Pulsifer, Livermore