Board conditionally approves easement over Sandy Hollow parkland to resolve access claim

The Board of Selectmen conditionally approved an easement May 5 to formalize driveway access off a cul-de-sac at Sandy Hollow Road in exchange for a property owner's release of a historic right-of-way across town open space.

Attorney Jonathan Peck explained his client purchased a foreclosed property that historically used a path across Sandy Hollow Park and that the property's buyer discovered the lack of a formal town easement during title review. Peck said his client would surrender the older recorded right-of-way that allowed vehicle passage across the park if the town created a formal easement over the small area currently used to access the cul-de-sac. "It's in the town's interest to shed the right of Mr. Peck's client or whoever he sells to," the town attorney and planning staff summarized, recommending approval with conditions.

Director of Planning Mark Woodwitz and the town attorney told the board they supported the swap because it removes vehicle traffic traversing open-space land and consolidates access in a lower-impact location. The board approved the easement authorization subject to a survey and review by the town attorney and planning director; staff said a survey would be prepared at the applicant's expense and the exact easement dimensions would be returned to the board for final confirmation if needed.

Selectmen said the measure addresses a narrow, preexisting access issue and reduces risk to park users and neighbors; the vote was unanimous by voice. The town will record the easement only after the survey and the town attorney's review are complete.