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Resident raises concerns about timbering, Carter Cut Road liability and tax‑deed properties; board seeks follow-up
Summary
A resident told the Select Board that a 21‑acre property was sold to a local logger and may be logged and developed; the board reviewed an attorney opinion that Carter Cut Road is a discontinued Class XI road and not the town’s maintenance responsibility, and directed staff to seek further documentation about tax‑deed properties.
David Passios used the public‑input portion of the Sept. 2 meeting to tell the Select Board that the McCabe/Alice Pierce property (21 acres) recently sold to a local logger and that he had heard the parcel would be logged and developed. He also said Carter Cut Road may be reverting to a Class V road and asked about the town’s responsibilities.
Administrative Assistant Amanda Simino presented the board with an e‑mail from the town attorney in response to Mr. Passios’s letter about the Carter Cut Bridge and road. The attorney advised that because the town discontinued the road in 1984 (Warrant Article 14) and designated it Class XI under RSA 231:59 and RSA 231:50, the town cannot spend Highway Maintenance funds on Class XI roads and is not responsible or liable for their maintenance. Mr. Passios said he was not satisfied with the response and asked for the e‑mail and supporting information; the board asked him to make a written request for the records and said they would review it.
Separately, the board reviewed a draft purchase‑and‑sale agreement prepared by the town attorney to allow owners at 1331 Presidential Hwy. to pay back taxes under a tax‑deed arrangement. Board members noted the draft did not include a requirement that owners remain current on future taxes, and asked staff to have the attorney add that clause before finalizing and signing the agreement.
The board also discussed 111 Meadowbrook Rd., where members questioned whether the property posed contamination or cleanup costs and whether the town could recoup any expenses if cleanup were required. Staff were directed to ask the town attorney about options for recouping funds prior to pursuing eviction or remediation.
On municipal operations, Amanda told the board she had not received two $600.82 bills related to bracket installs on new poles near Santa’s Village and the Lantern Inn and that Donna (Eversource) sent a separate $902.55 bill for fixture installation on pole 2/19Y (Xavier at Affinity ordered it). Selectman Norman Brown agreed to contact Donna at Eversource before the next meeting to resolve the invoices; the board said conversion work will not proceed until bills are paid and the work is complete.
The board asked for written follow‑up from Mr. Passios on the Carter Cut questions and for staff to coordinate with the town attorney about tax‑deed and cleanup options.
