As a professional land surveyor, I feel I must comment briefly on the story, “Neighbors at war” that appeared in the Sun Journal March 17. It was a little disturbing to read a two-page story on boundary and right-of-way disputes and never even see the word “surveyor” mentioned.

In my more than 36 years of experience surveying in Western Maine, I have seen most potential boundary-based legal battles defused when a thorough, properly conducted boundary survey reveals one party to be in the right and the other not.

Surveyors deal in the collection and interpretation of evidence, be it physical, written or oral. Clients are informed that this evidence will determine the location of boundaries and easements and the fact that the client is paying the bill does not in any way guarantee the results of the survey will be in their favor.

The article contained advice to first seek a lawyer as a dispassionate third party to a disagreement may not be the best course of action in most cases. Most lawyers will approach the situation as being advocates for their clients. That is fine, that is their job, but the cost of a protracted legal battle can often be avoided with intercession of a professional land surveyor as the first course of action.

Barry M. Allen, Norway