Property owner says neighbor’s driveway blocks access; Board advises petition to upgrade Class 4 road

A Springfield property owner raised concerns June 22 that a newly permitted driveway for an abutting lot was built within the Old Hospital Hill right‑of‑way and inside his deeded 20‑foot access easement, potentially blocking his future ability to upgrade the Class 4 road and affecting snow storage and drainage.

Manager Scott Pickup had earlier described uncertainty in town records about an alleged verbal approval in 2021 and told the Board that work like the owner describes would require following Section 30‑646(e). The Manager said: “If he wants to improve the Old Hospital Road to a class 3 road standard, (currently a class 4), he would need permission from abutting property owners to remove trees and add gravel and drainage.”

The property owner, identified in staff notes as Nick Berthiaume, argued the neighbor’s driveway entrance effectively sits at the intersection and thus violates the town rule prohibiting driveways within 75 feet of an intersection centerline. Mike Martin clarified that the neighbor’s driveway permit was lawfully issued off a Class 3 road and said the only action the Selectboard may take under Section 30‑646(B) is on a petition to upgrade a Class 4 to Class 3; any change to the neighbor’s approved driveway would be a separate legal matter.

The Board took no action on the driveway; staff advised the owner to consult an attorney and, if desired, to file a formal petition to the Selectboard to upgrade the road (with construction costs borne by the applicant under the ordinance).