Residents of Plum Tree Lane told the Harveston Select Board on Dec. 29 that mail deliveries had stopped and that some neighbors required medication deliveries, prompting urgent requests for the town to arrange plowing of the private road this winter.

Erica Poisson, who identified herself as a Plum Tree Lane resident, told the board: "I have medication that should be delivered next Tuesday. And if it can't get delivered, that's a $25,000 shot that goes back to the distributor." Residents said the private road's owner has not paid taxes and in some cases is unreachable; board members described a complicated, long-term legal and financial situation but said the immediate priority was restoring access and mail service.

Board members discussed liability, funding options and the mechanics of previously approved special town-meeting articles used to fund plowing in prior years. Staff explained that some special-article accounts had been closed at fiscal-year end and that the town's FY25 books are not fully closed, so certified free cash is not available immediately. The finance committee controls the reserve fund and must approve transfers; the board discussed using the reserve fund for an emergency transfer.

Motion and vote: The board moved, seconded and voted to authorize Trisha, as temporary town administrator, to sign an agreement with the contractor Grasshopper to provide winter treatment/plowing for Plum Tree Lane for FY26 subject to (1) residents signing liability-release/indemnification forms, and (2) Trisha filing a reserve-fund transfer request to the finance committee for $3,000 to cover the immediate season costs. The motion passed by voice vote.

Longer-term matters: Board members and residents discussed options including attempting to contact the owner to negotiate a transfer of the road to the town or to form an agreement among residents so the town can maintain the road without taking ownership. Board members noted the legal and procedural steps for accepting a private road into town jurisdiction would require formal processes and could take considerable time.

What happens next: Trisha will execute the temporary contract with the contractor, gather signed liability releases from residents (DocuSign/email options discussed), and file a reserve-fund transfer request with the finance committee for consideration. Board directed staff to attempt contact with the owner and to provide a follow-up timeline.