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Camden Pathways Committee backs public letter to defend historic Rock Road and seek review
Summary
Members voted to draft a joint letter and outreach materials after abutters filed appeals with the Board of Environmental Protection to halt a landowners work that would remove a long‑used historic road (aka Rock Road/Lily Pond). The committee discussed title searches, a stay request and coordination with the town select board.
Members of the Pathways Committee agreed to draft a joint letter and coordinate media outreach to support preservation of a historic route variously called Rock Road, Jacobs Corey Trail and Lily Pond.
The committee discussed recent appeals filed with the Maine Board of Environmental Protection after a property owner applied to remove a section of the road that abutters and users say has provided public access for decades. Committee participants said abutters Sarah Price and Steven Fimbei (named by attendees) and others filed appeals and a stay request to the BEP to prevent what they called potentially irreversible work.
Committee members reviewed the practical next steps. Several attendees said a title search might clarify whether the town has an easement or other public rights; the group cited an estimate of $15,000–$20,000 for a municipal title review and noted select board membersincluding Denise Munger (identified in discussion as a select board chair) had expressed caution that even an expensive title search may not produce certainty.
The committee debated alternatives to an expensive title search, including negotiation with the property owner and relying on prescriptive rights if use over time can be documented. Members discussed that one abutter has engaged a lawyer and paid roughly $2,000 for a title search covering the full alignment; the committee agreed that additional legal work and town engagement could be warranted.
By motion, the committee authorized drafting a letter on behalf of the Pathways Committee, circulating it to members for sign‑off, posting it to the committees Facebook page and submitting it to local papers to encourage public support and select board action. Anita moved the motion; members approved.
The committee also resolved to pursue early engagement with the select board and local historical preservation authorities to explore listing possibilities and to coordinate appeals to the BEP. Next procedural steps include drafting the letter, verifying legal facts (titles/easements) and seeking a place on the select board and BEP‑related agendas.
