Road issues linger in Hartford

HARTFORD — Don Haskell brought selectmen a folder Thursday night containing 48 years worth of correspondence he has had with the town and attorneys about maintenance of Haskell Road, which leads to his hunting camp.

Haskell, 80, spoke for more than an hour, telling the board he was maintaining the road in lieu of a portion of his taxes years ago, but the town stopped that agreement and failed to cut his taxes or maintain the road.

Haskell said he can’t get up the road even using a four wheel drive.

Acting Chairman Jack Plumley asked Haskell if the road had ever been discontinued.

“No, it was never discontinued,” he said, producing proof there was work done on it in 1996.

Town Clerk Lianne Bedard showed papers that confirmed work was done in 1996.

Michael and Richard Turner on Notia Road brought a similar complaint to the board. They said they were keeping the road cleared except for a stretch of field where snow blows across and makes it impossible for them to clear with a snowblower. “We came to this meeting on a snowmobile because the road is impassable,” Michael Turner said.

The field belongs to Bim McNeil and Road Commissioner Jeremy Johnson, and, according to Turner, they know the field is causing the problem but are ignoring the issue.

Selectman Zoe Cowett asked if they had spoken to McNeil and suggested that should be the first step because it’s a civil issue.

“A town right of way means you have the right to cross another person’s property,” Cowett said. The question still remains if the road is private or a right of way road.

Plumley said he was going to a workshop on town roads this month in Augusta and would pose both of these situations to hopefully get some answers. He promised both parties the board would be getting back to them with information.

Another resident brought photos showing where his mailbox was and how the snowplow was hitting it every year. He said he had the postmistress check it and she had declared the mailbox was properly placed.

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