BUCKFIELD — Two residents have approached the town with evidence that roadwork has been done on a segment of McAlister Road the town considers abandoned and have requested the town resume regular maintenance on the road.

The board of selectmen discussed the matter at its Tuesday meeting but decided to table the issue until its next meeting August 21. 

According to Town Manager Dana Lee, a road is considered abandoned if 30 years have elapsed without injecting public time or resources into it – the town has historically considered the last quarter-mile of McAlister Road abandoned.

But Ronald and Leah Frechette disagree.

The Frechettes and three other households live on the abandoned stretch of road.

The couple provided two signed statements from former road foremen Phil Savage and Phil McAlister that maintenance had been conducted on the road – in his statement McAlister says he plowed and sanded to the end of the road in the winter of 1998.

The road was heavily damaged during strong storms in May and residents paid for repairs out of their own pockets. Mr. Frechette said the couple feels a “little used” and would like to have the town resume responsibility for the road.

Town office documents provided to the selectmen appear to indicate the town has considered the road abandoned for at least the past two decades.

The documents include a 1994 letter to a McAlister Road property owner by then Town Manager Cindy Dunn explaining “no winter maintenance takes place and summer road maintenance … is sparatic [sic], and has been for many, many, years. Therefore, this portion of the McAlister Road is classified abandoned.”

At the meeting, Dunn said isolated roadwork, such as a single winter plowing, might not be considered evidence of town maintenance.

Moreover, she pointed to the minutes of a 2003 selectboard meeting when Mr. Frechette was considering a proposal to voters to have the town take responsibility for the road.

At that meeting, Dunn explained that in order for the town to take over responsibility, it would first need to bring the road up to town standards – a potentially expensive undertaking.

It is unknown, however, when McAlister Road was officially considered abandoned. At Tuesday’s meeting, Dunn said she believes it may have been designated in the early 1980s, but the town has so far been unable to provide documentation to confirm that.

Court battle?

Lee told the board the town office would continue digging through the records to find more information about the issue, which has the possibility to turn into a court battle.

As Lee explained, the selectmen could accept the Frechette’s evidence and agree to resume responsibility for the quarter-mile portion of the road.

If the board decided not to accept the evidence, the Frechettes could take the case to court, which could end up being an expensive and lengthy exercise for both parties.

The Frechettes urged the selectmen to resume responsibility for the road immediately but Selectwoman Martha Catevenis and Selectman Rodney Allen voted to table the matter until the August 21 meeting in order to learn more about the issue and possibly seek legal advice.

Board Chairman Robin Buswell abstained from participating in the discussion and vote, explaining he may have a conflict of interest.