Town to consider abandoning short stub of Clinton Avenue so business can replace failing septic

Public Works Director Peter McConaughey described a narrow, pragmatic proposal to abandon about 100 to 150 feet of Clinton Avenue that currently ends at the bulkhead, a remnant from a long-removed bridge. A nearby business lacks adequate space on its parcel to replace a failed septic system and owns the adjacent parking lot across the short roadway section; if the town abandons the stub, it would revert to private ownership and allow the owner to place private piping and complete the septic replacement.

McConaughey said the town would work with the Harbormaster and town counsel to record necessary easements to preserve public access to the bulkhead and to retain the town's right to maintain drainage pipes that run beneath the area. Town counsel staff said a small appropriated amount in the article language is standard to cover potential recording or title-search costs; staff characterized that contingency as minimal.

Select Board members asked about precedent and whether abandoning a small roadway for this purpose would create a slippery slope. Staff replied that the situation is unique because the bridge that once connected that stub to other rights-of-way no longer exists and that the public benefit (fixing a failing septic) supports this narrow action.

Next steps: the Select Board will consider the Clinton Avenue easement articles on the warrant and staff will bring recorded-easement language and cost estimates for the board's review.