PERU – The status of Hammond Hill Road and development of Mountain View Estates occupied much of Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting.

The town recently approved the plan for the subdivision on land owned by Ralph Norris. The plan calls for reopening a portion of Hammond Hill Road that was abandoned by the town in 1954. At that time, state law gave all rights to an abandoned road to the abutters unless the town specifically retained an easement, according to attorney Linda Russell. Russell represents abutters John Canton and Stephen Hardy.

Norris is seeking an easement from the town to install utilities along the portion of road where Canton and Hardy own both sides of the road. The only access to some of the proposed lots is from a portion of road that is half owned by Hardy. Canton and Hardy are concerned that Norris will begin cutting trees and otherwise disturbing their property.

Selectman Norman DeRoche said he and Selectman Andy St. Pierre had inspected the work done so far and found that the developer was not living up to the restrictions in the approval of the subdivision plan. They found severe erosion and pollution of a stream due to failure to adequately control storm water runoff. They have requested a report from the town code enforcement officer and the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Chairman Bill Hine pointed out that the approval had clearly pointed out the portion of Hammond Hill Road that had been abandoned by the town and also required strict environmental control procedures.

Selectmen refused to grant the requested utilities easement and will alert the Planning Board that the application will be referred back to it to investigate alleged violations of the conditions imposed. They believe a public hearing held by the Planning Board will give Norris a chance to refute Russell’s contention that the town has no right to grant a utility easement on the abandoned portion of the road. If the town must get advice from its attorney to resolve the issue, he will be paid by the developer as part of the permit expenses.

Norris threatened to bring legal action if the easement was refused, according to the selectmen’s secretary Kathy Hussey.

Members of the Peru ATV club warned riders that until the green and white ATV signs are put up, they are not allowed on the roads recently approved for their use by selectmen. The signs should be up within the next two weeks.