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Resident presses Select Board to remove trees at Mt. Prospect Road; board declines to accept resident’s proposed agreement
Summary
Resident John Davidge asked the Select Board to direct town crews to remove cedar trees and trim a hedge at the Mt. Prospect Road/Old East Road intersection, saying a contractor’s work would end litigation; Selectmen reiterated the town seeks a signed maintenance agreement and a motion opposing Davidge’s proposal was withdrawn as moot.
John Davidge, a resident of Mt. Prospect Road, urged the Lancaster Select Board on June 15 to send town crews to remove cedar trees at the Mt. Prospect Road and Old East Road intersection and to hire a contractor to trim a hedge, saying that if the town did so, Robert Mekeel would withdraw a suit against Davidge.
Selectman Leon Rideout said trimming the trees without an agreement would not solve a problem that has persisted for more than 30 years and urged Davidge to sign the town’s proposed maintenance agreement. "The agreement uses the plan that was used for his subdivision and the Town is asking to maintain its right-of-way," Rideout said.
Davidge characterized the town's proposed agreement as "inflammatory and unreasonable," warning that refusing his proposed approach could lead to continued litigation. Mrs. Davidge (first name not specified) asked what the board expected to achieve by going to court and said they would not sign the town's agreement.
Selectman Rideout made a motion, seconded by Selectman Shane Beattie, that the board would not agree with Mr. Davidge's proposal; Rideout then withdrew the motion as moot. Chair Kathy-Jean Lavoie asked parties to avoid further discussion of litigation at the public meeting.
The Select Board did not approve any work order or formal change to right-of-way policy at the meeting; no vote was recorded to send town crews to remove trees or to accept Davidge’s draft agreement. The board asked staff and counsel matters of pending litigation should not be discussed further in public session.
