Select Board advances Robinson Road discontinuance process, will notify impacted residents about easements

The Newcastle Select Board on Feb. 24 advanced the process to discontinue Robinson Road and directed staff to notify impacted residents and investigate retaining utility or public easements.

Town Manager Kevin said he has drafted letters to residents adjoining the road and proposed inviting them to a future meeting to discuss the process and expectations. Board members raised concerns about telephone poles and utility access and asked staff to confirm whether utility lines cross the parcels near 19 Robinson Road and whether a dedicated utility or public easement should be reserved if the road is discontinued.

Why it matters: discontinuing a town road can affect access, maintenance responsibility and utility rights. Board members emphasized ensuring utilities retain rights-of-way to avoid later disputes where utilities may claim lack of easement across private parcels.

What the board decided: board members agreed to include the Robinson Road discontinuance on the annual meeting agenda or as part of a ballot item (the board noted some items will be on a secret ballot as part of the election). Staff will send outreach letters to abutters and report back with findings on utility easements before the formal vote.

Manager’s detail: Kevin said there is incomplete registry-of-deeds documentation showing where the road was previously discontinued and that staff will consider fully discontinuing the entire road or discontinuing it while reserving a small utility or public easement. A draft letter and memo prepared by staff are to be sent to the affected residents.

Next steps: staff will send the outreach letters, research easement history and include the discontinuance on the appropriate upcoming meeting warrant for voter action.