MINOT – Selectmen met with developer Chuck Starbird, his attorney and engineer Monday night to resolve questions on the way work on the Old Pottle Hill School Road right of way has proceeded.

Two weeks ago, selectmen directed Road Manager Arlan Saunders to issue a stop-work order to prevent Starbird from paving the road he has been working on for about four years.

Selectmen’s objections ranged from questions on whether Starbird had received permission to do work in the public right of way to whether materials used for the sub-base met specifications.

Scott Lynch, Starbird’s attorney, faulted the town for not having a form, whereby a developer could indicate intent to build a road, to fill out. He pointed out that Starbird had submitted plans for the road in June 2000.

Selectmen acknowledged that plans had been submitted but said there was no follow-through on either side.

Saunders added that he kept an eye on what was happening but said he hadn’t been called to look on this as the development of a road for possible town acceptance. He pointed out that in September 2001 he was asked to approve an application from Starbird for a driveway entrance where the Pottle Hill School Road right of way meets Pottle Hill Road. This came after Starbird had laid down considerable base material which, records provide by Lynch showed, had been inspected by engineer Scott Dixon in August 2001.

Dixon found the road met town specifications.

All parties agreed to call in another independent engineer for additional testing.

Selectmen also stipulated that Starbird must also contact the person who owns a portion of the original right of way and obtain permission to improve that section as well.

“As far as I can see, all we have to deal with is the question of the abutter and whether the sub-base is OK,” said Selectman Dean Campbell.

Campbell further noted that acceptance of the road is something that only voters at the March town meeting can do.

Starbird noted that it was unlikely Pottle Hill School Road would be paved this construction season.

In other business, selectmen declared a portion of Cross Road, from Jackson Hill Road three-quarters of a mile to Hadfield Road, presumed abandoned. This brings to 14 the total of roads selectmen have declared abandoned in the last two months.

Reporting on the proposed water line from the town garage to the school, Saunders said the way is mostly clear and only about six trees would have to be removed. Saunders estimated the cost to lay the line to between $5,000 and $7,000.

Saunders also said that Minot Corner Methodist Church elders would like to use a portion of Lane Road, cut off by MDOT’s recent realignment of Empire Road, for parking. Selectmen asked that the church elders be invited to make a formal presentation of their request at a regular selectmen’s meeting.