Yarmouth planning board approves renaming of private Harold Road to Harold Lane

The Yarmouth Planning Board voted unanimously Feb. 19 to rename a private way in West Yarmouth from Harold Road to Harold Lane, approving the applicant's request with a condition that the petitioner record the change at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds.

The hearing on the application was opened by Planning Board Chair Joanne Crowley at 5:35 p.m. Applicant Janet Drummy told the board she and her husband have owned the property for about 42 years and that the deed and billing records show the correct name as Harold Lane. Town Planner Kathy Williams had circulated a planner memo and noted there were emails of support included in the application packet.

Board members asked clarifying questions about signage and the scope of the board's authority. Susan Bridal confirmed that the board's legal role was limited to naming private ways and that signage questions (for example, adding a "dead end" or "no outlet" plaque) were handled by staff. Crowd and public-comment participation were limited; no written comments were submitted before the hearing.

After brief deliberation the board moved to approve the request “to rename the private road called Harold Road in West Yarmouth to Harold Lane with the condition that the applicant make all necessary changes at the Registry of Deeds with the address.” The motion passed unanimously by voice vote; all seven members present voted in favor.

The board directed staff to provide the applicant with the order paperwork to be signed and recorded. Kathy Williams said she would provide the form and that the planning department’s records and the assessor’s map would be updated once the Registry of Deeds filing is complete.