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Residents and town officials table vote to reclassify Deer Cove Road amid safety, property concerns
Summary
Voters at Ossipee Town Meeting debated reclassifying a narrow lakeside section of Deer Cove Road from Class V to Class VI. After lengthy testimony on drainage, turnaround and property‑value risks, the meeting voted to table Article 10, effectively killing the measure for the year and prompting calls for a summer informational meeting.
Moderator Katie Bedley opened discussion on Article 10, which would reclassify a portion of Deer Cove Road from a town‑maintained Class V road to an unmaintained Class VI road. Resident James Ry urged tabling the article so seasonal property owners could be included in an informational meeting: “I would move that we table this and try to have this meeting that I've talked about and see if we can work together rather than dictate what's going to happen,” he said.
Public works director TJ Eldridge and the highway foremen described operational and safety constraints on the narrow roadside. “The town cannot go on like that. They need to have something that goes on forever,” TJ said, explaining the town’s need for a permanent turnaround and space to place snow and drainage improvements. Fire department deputy chief Rich Patterson said access concerns and seasonal low lake levels complicate emergency responses and recommended tabling until a homeowners association or other solution could be formed.
Speakers raised potential consequences if the road were reclassified, including reduced property values, increased costs for owners to secure building permits on a Class VI road, and the possibility of appeals to the state Board of Tax and Land Appeals. James Ry cited assessor and realtor comments about possible reductions in market value and urged a public meeting in July when more seasonal residents are present.
After debate, the legislative body voted to table Article 10. The moderator explained tabling would effectively remove the article from consideration unless taken off the table at a future business meeting. Supporters of tabling emphasized the need for more outreach to affected property owners; opponents warned that tabling could leave unresolved safety issues and that alternative solutions should be pursued by selectmen.
The next steps described at the meeting included: (1) selectmen considering an informational meeting for Deer Cove Road property owners in the summer; (2) highway staff continuing assessments of drainage and turnaround options; and (3) residents volunteering to help organize a summer meeting to ensure absentee owners receive notice.
