Council denies license to maintain for Norman Street request, refers paving and drainage concerns to DPW

Edward Lee asked the council July 23 for permission to asphalt a roughly 40‑foot extension of a town right‑of‑way at the end of Norman Street to ease snow‑clearing impacts at his driveway. Lee told the council he has lived on Norman Street for 39 years and that winter plowing leaves rocks and ruts that his back surgery prevents him from clearing.

The council reviewed staff recommendations and engineering concerns. Town staff recommended denying the license to maintain because paving the area now per staff could create drainage issues: the segment in question sits higher than the neighboring Spruce Lane and is currently pervious; making it impervious could require a drainage plan and permitting from the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). Councilors and DPW representatives said it is not the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain the public way.

The council voted to deny the license to maintain and to refer the matter to the town administrator and the DPW director to work with the petitioner and the town’s paving contractor to identify possible fixes. DPW director Steve Perella told the council the town plans to extend pavement past the petitioner’s driveway so snowplows will push snow beyond the driveway; connecting the extension to Norman Street would require DEM permitting and a drainage plan because of the grade and nearby utilities (a gas line). The council asked staff to return with an update in the coming meetings and authorized the administrator and DPW to pursue an engineering solution rather than approving a private asphalt patch.