CHESTERVILLE — The Appeals Board voted Thursday to seek advice from the Maine Municipal Association to decide whether the Planning Board erred in judgment when it voted against a request to change a road name in October.

The board will meet again at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Town Office.

Scott and Megan Heikkinen had requested the name be changed from Turner Intervale Road to Heikkinen Lane. 

The Heikkinens purchased the large lot next to the intersection of Borough and Smith roads in April 1997. At a public hearing in September, Scott said he owns land on both sides of Turner Intervale Road, and the road isn’t listed on his deed. 

Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Medcoff said in 1997 the town reviewed road names as requested for the Enhanced 911 system. Only landowners on roads whose names were changed were notified.

The town’s E-911 Ordinance, adopted in 1996, states all roads that serve two or more properties shall be named, regardless of whether the ownership is public or private. The ordinance further states that the emergency management director, with the Planning Board, is authorized to assign road names and numbers to all properties.

The road is not listed on 1999 tax maps, but is on 2000 town maps.

Chapter 5 of the Chesterville Board of Appeals, Variances and Waivers does not provide information on road name change requests. Board members were not sure they had jurisdiction to act on the matter.

Attorney David Sanders, representing the Heikkinens, said the person owning the property should have some control over what the name should be.

Appeals Board Chairman Kathy Gregory said if there are two or more property owners, it must be named.

Megan Heikkinen said a road sign may indicate it is a public road. She spoke of the large amount of trash left on the right-of-way that she already collects and often pays to dispose of.

Gregory questioned how changing the name of the road would stop the dumping.

After much discussion, Megan Heikkinen said Huckleberry Stream runs through the property. She suggested changing the road name to Huckleberry Stream Road.

“It would have significance. People know where the stream is. Nobody’s name would be on it,” she said.

Linton Robinson, related to the Turner family, said he doesn’t care what the name is so long as it’s accessible if people need help.

Medcoff said notification of the road name change is not that difficult. The Franklin County E-911 director and state director would need to be notified. Some paperwork would need to be completed.

The board voted to ask MMA for clarification on who has jurisdiction to change a road name. It has 35 days from the first meeting to make a decision.

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