Town staff given permission to contact abutters about Stratton Library boundary-line adjustment

Town staff updated the board on a long-running boundary-line adjustment affecting the Stratton Library and received permission to contact the neighboring property owners about next steps.

Staff said the library lot was combined in a way years ago that resulted in an L-shaped parcel that extends toward the neighbor’s driveway; the driveway portion appears to lie on town land. Staff said the town began a boundary-line adjustment process in 2018 but the matter has not been completed. Staff described a proposal to transfer the driveway portion to the abutters, Jamie and Catherine Clark, in exchange for clear title for the neighbors and a small amount of surveyed land for the library.

Staff noted complications including a well that appears to be sited on the portion of town land that would become library property under the proposed adjustment. If the well serves the private house, staff said an easement would be required to permit continued well servicing. Staff also said survey costs for a boundary-line adjustment would need to be absorbed by the town.

Board members agreed staff should call the abutters to ascertain whether they wish to proceed; staff said they will do so and then return to the board with recommended next steps based on the abutters’ response.