CHESTERVILLE — Selectmen have been decided to continue plowing Adams and Gordon Hill roads while they try to determine their legal status.

At issue is whether the roads were discontinued or closed by the town.

Questions about the roads arose after resident Darlene Hamel approached selectmen about plowing Adams Road this winter.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Guy Iverson said at Thursday’s board meeting that the county discontinued maintaining the two roads in the 1930s. Two attorneys have looked into the matter, but the records are not accurate enough to make a determination on whether the town closed them to plowing and maintenance, he said.

Selectman Matt Welch said the right to plow and maintain the roads needs to be cleared up.

Iverson said town attorney Frank Underkuffler has recommended getting permission from owners along the roads to plow and maintain them. Continued maintenance would need to be brought before voters.

Iverson said he hopes to bring the issue to voters at the March 2017 annual town meeting.  

“Frank Underkuffler said to continue plowing, as we have been, while figuring it out,” Welch said.

Resident Craig Stickney said several years ago selectmen decided to plow one of the roads after the Fire Department couldn’t get its trucks to a fire. There was no town vote, he said.

“The goal is to clean up the mess,” Iverson said. “We don’t want to hurt anyone, just fix things. There are about 20 families on the Adams Road. We can’t find where the roads were reopened. It’s important that we get this done for the future.”

Selectman Tiffany Estabrook said the roads are included in state funding received under the Local Roads Assistance Program. 

Iverson said information will be mailed to property owners on the two roads.

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