MEMBERS PRESENT: Marcia Delaware, Dean Thompson, Peter Haskell, Larry Bonneau, Mike Blake, Roger Brawn and Ron Goldstone

STAFF PRESENT: Bob Simpson, Shelley Watson, Mike Delaware and Dave Pearson

NEW BUSINESS
1. . Order A99-40 Temporary Closure of the Shepard Road
Peter Haskell proclaimed that he would be abstaining from discussion and voting on this matter. BE IT ORDERED, that the Dexter Town Council, in accordance with Title 29A MRSA, Section 2395, hereby approves the temporary closure of the Shepard Road from a point beginning approximately 2,200 feet from the intersection of the Number 10 Road, proceeding to the end of the public way as identified in the 1958 Article for Discontinuance. The effective dates of closure are intended to be October 22, 1999 to April 1, 2000.

Marcia Delaware explained that the Council was presented with the problem when it was discovered the Shepard Road had been chained off by a citizen. The citizen has since removed the chain, however there are about 20 individuals with keys to the chain, and there’s no way to keep track of another individual locking the gate.

Dean Thompson stated that he drove out the Shepard Road and the chain is back again. He added that he nearly ran into the chain even though he knew where it was located! Dean suggested that the chain be taken down and barriers placed instead.

Mike Blake stated he was concerned with liability, and other landowners chaining off public roads. Mike added that both the landowners on the road have agreed to close the road so he felt the Town should not do any more maintenance on the road.

Marcia Delaware added that this item would be placed on the November agenda to discontinue the road. Marcia stated that once the Town places the signs the liability is gone.

Bob Simpson reported that signs stating “dangerous road ahead” will help, however if someone is hurt by the chain they can still bring action against the town and the landowners. Roger Brawn added that signs would be needed on both ends of the road, but he stated that a barricade would probably not keep vehicles out.

Ron Goldstone remarked that he was a little unnerved at the reasons to close this road as safety and weight limitations are the reasons to close a road not the accommodation of a citizen.

Roger Brawn stated he did not see it that way at all. He added that the Shepard Road is very difficult to maintain, and has presented a unique danger for 20 years. Roger added that a chained road also created a potential danger, and it would be to the Town’s advantage to close the road due to expensive maintenance as it washes out at least once a year.

Ron Goldstone asked about closing only a portion of the road as it was reasonably passable until he came to the chain.

Bob Simpson said a sign would be placed at the intersection of the Number 10 Road and the Shepard Road with another sign at the turn-around.

The vote was taken at this time with 6-0 in favor (abstention by Haskell) motion passes.

Respectfully submitted,

Shelley L. Watson
Council Secretary