Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Acceptance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board Accepts Tanya Lane as Town Road Despite Culvert Concerns
Summary
The Brentwood Select Board voted to accept Tanya Lane as a town road after the planning board advised that driveway culverts installed as PVC do not meet the town’s concrete‑culvert standard but were judged unlikely to degrade drainage. The motion passed by a 4–1 vote.
The Brentwood Select Board voted to accept Tanya Lane as a town road on Nov. 19, approving a developer’s request despite planning‑board findings that some culverts were built with PVC rather than the concrete specified in town standards.
Barry Geier, of Jones & Beach Engineers, representing the developer, said Tanya Lane is a small subdivision of roughly 13 lots and described the construction as completed and the planning‑board inspection as largely satisfied. “That sounds right,” Geier said when asked to confirm lot count and described the developer’s engagement with the planning board and road agent.
Planning Board member Doug Finnan acknowledged the road surface is acceptable but emphasized the board’s concern centered on the culverts: they were installed with PVC rather than the concrete the ordinance requires. “There was question on the culverts and… going into the driveway, and that’s what our concern was,” Finnan said, noting questions about cover depth and frost heave.
Select Board members discussed the risk of setting a precedent by accepting non‑standard materials, and whether the town would assume maintenance responsibilities. Planning Board member Doug Marino emphasized the planning board’s deliberations, noting the matter had been debated for several meetings. “It was not unanimous,” Marino said of the planning board vote recommending acceptance; the record showed a split recommendation from that body. Board members agreed the homeowners would be notified that the culverts did not meet town specifications and that the town does not intend to assume private driveway culvert maintenance.
After discussion and a motion to accept Tanya Lane as a town road, the board voted in favor; the chair announced the motion passed by a 4–1 margin. The board directed staff to send notices to homeowners and asked planning staff to consider post‑construction driveway inspection and whether driveway permit fees or processes need adjustment.
The next procedural step is for staff to circulate the planning‑board letter and any homeowner notices and to propose ordinance or fee‑schedule changes concerning post‑construction driveway inspections at a future meeting.
