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November 5, 2009

Derry Town Council notebook

Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

THE TOP STORY

The private/public roads saga reared its head again at the meeting, with council voting on whether to approve certain roads for this winter's maintenance schedule.

Derry Public Works director Michael Fowler told council that several roads were previously on the town's list for winter maintenance but residents hadn't submitted petitions for this season's work, as per the town's private road ordinance approved earlier this year.

In years past, council had voted prior to each winter to authorize winter maintenance on several private roads. The new private road ordinance adopted last spring included a provision that stated a petition must be submitted within six months of the ordinance effective date of march 19, 209 in order for winter maintenance to be done.

This summer, Fowler said Public Works sent notices to residents of the streets which previously received plowing and winter work to make them aware of the new ordinance in effect and the need for a petition. But five roads did not meet the petition deadline for this winter including Jenny Dickey Hill Road, Country Road East, Brewster Road, Chase Street, and Field Road.

Council did approve the following roads as winter maintenance roads for the 2009-2010 season: Excumbuit Road, Kenro Way, Lake Avenue, Rockey Road, Pebble Lane, Mundy Lane, Sharon Avenue, and Worthley Road.

Petitions from other roads were to be forwarded to the Planning Board for their action.

NOTABLE QUOTE

When asked about the status of certain roads that had not submitted petitions for winter maintenance this year, but had previously had maintenance done, Mike Fowler said the town needed to make a decision based on what they approved in the new ordinance.

"If you stay true to your ordinance, you would not provide winter maintenance," he said.

OTHER BUSINESS

Council voted to table a discussion on a motion to seek a "Declaratory Judgement" regarding the town's Exit 4A financial obligation.

Also, councillor Janet Fairbanks voiced concerns about possible hunting in town near a stretch of the Derry bike trail, a project that is being paved and worked on to help give people a path for biking, walking, and enjoying the trails in the area.

"I don't think there should be hunting near there," Fairbanks said, adding she and her husband had been walking the trail last weekend and noticed a man dressed in hunting gear and carrying a firearm."To me it's a path now. I was uncomfortable with this."

Town administrator Gary Stenhouse said he would look into the state's regulations and what other information he could find out about the proximity of hunting in the area in question near that portion of the bike path.

— Julie Huss

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