Residents raise drainage and small water‑district concerns during public comment

During the May 28 public comment period, residents raised two recurring local issues: chronic drainage problems made worse by roadside maintenance, and community opposition to a proposed small water district tied to a commercial property.

A resident who identified herself as living at 125 Gates House Road described persistent standing water and a swampy area that she said improved when the town previously cleaned the roadside ditch but later worsened after the highway crew’s vegetation clearing left the ditch filled again. She said the speed‑sign placement and regrowth of weeds have re‑obscured the ditch and asked the highway team to inspect and maintain the culvert and ditch; staff agreed to check the site the following Monday.

Separately, attorney Daniel Crouchar identified himself for the record and said a virtual meeting with town staff confirmed his clients’ concerns about formation of an Amy's Kitchen water district, which he said would include the restaurant property and one additional parcel. He told the board residents would be prepared to commence legal proceedings if the district process proceeded without addressing their objections and questioned whether board members had been aware of private meetings about the topic. Board members responded by noting obligations under open‑meeting rules and said follow‑up discussions should be handled with appropriate notice.

The public comment period also included discussion of town vehicle policy and concerns about advanced life‑support coverage tied to an ambulance district contract in process; those items were noted for follow‑up by staff.