Select Board hears resident concerns about private road maintenance and gravel‑pit access; asks staff to contact property owners

Residents and board members discussed repeated complaints about uncontrolled traffic and shooting at the Smoke Street gravel pit, and longstanding concerns about a privately owned segment of Mel (Menal) Road that the town historically maintains to keep passable.

Staff said the town will install cellular cameras at the pit gate and the fuel pumps; camera access will be provided to police, fire and town personnel. A resident reported that private landowners (Millers, Fernalds, Taskers) control easement rights and may grant access to third parties; board members requested staff speak with the owners to clarify who is authorized to use the gate and to consider changing the combination lock to tighten control.

On Mel Road (a private road at the Nottingham‑Raymond border), staff reiterated prior legal advice that the town lacks a blanket authority to maintain private roads and may face legal risk if it assumes formal maintenance. The board debated continuing minimal maintenance for safety and emergency access versus initiating a county or legal review to clarify responsibility; members concluded staff should pursue contact with property owners and consider sending the matter to legal or county review while continuing minimal road maintenance to avoid stranding residents.

Why it matters: residents rely on the access for emergency services and daily travel; unclear easement arrangements and camera coverage affect safety and the town’s custodial obligations. The board emphasized transparency with property owners and the importance of documenting town hours/equipment/time associated with any maintenance activity.

Next steps: staff to contact property owners to identify authorized users, install town cameras at the pit gate and pumps, consider changing the lock or combo and report back on legal and county options for the private‑road maintenance question.