Jeanie Forrester: Meredith Selectboard will wait to consider accepting roads until subdivision is complete

At the Aug. 25, Meredith Selectboard meeting, members heard a request for the town to assume maintenance responsibility for certain roads in a subdivision and they also finalized action on comprehensive fees and the disposition of tax deeded property.

The Crestwood Estates Homeowners Association made a formal request to the board for the town to accept roads in the Crestwood Estates subdivision for the purposes of road maintenance.

The development of the subdivision began in 2007-08, as a 59-lot project. The first phase of this three-phase project is complete. The second phase is in process, and the third phase has not started. There are currently 28 homes at Crestwood Estates on four roads, Crestwood Drive, Redwood Circle, Maplewood Circle and Hickorywood Circle. Homeowners are not happy with how long it is taking to complete the project as well as the developer’s maintenance of the roads; they would like the town to assume responsibility.

Our department of public works director recommends the town not accept any of the roads until the entire project is complete and the roads are adequately maintained by the association. He cited concerns about the current condition of the roads and potential future damage as heavy construction equipment will be used to build out the rest of the project.

The director noted that if the town were to take over the maintenance of the roads, taxpayers would experience additional estimated expenses of $650,000. The details of those expenses include the work required to upgrade the roads to appropriate condition such as roadside mowing, tree cutting, ditching and drainage repairs and crack sealing.

Winter maintenance of the additional 1.5 miles of road would also require the acquisition of an additional plow truck and driver. It was noted the town historically does not assume responsibility for roads in developments that have not been completed. The board took no action.

The selectboard voted to hold a public hearing on the updated Schedule of Fees at their Monday, Sept. 8, meeting. The comprehensive list includes all current fees including those recently adopted. The commercial boat launch fee was removed from the schedule until a legal opinion is obtained and fees related to the Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds will be added to the fee schedule when the current grant-funded rate study is complete.

The board reviewed the town manager’s recommendations for the disposal of multiple tax deeded properties. The board directed the manager to place all the properties in an open bid process allowing anyone interested to bid. A former property owner owing back taxes, penalties and interest missed the deadline to make payment in full so that property was also included in the open bid process.

The next meeting of the selectboard is Monday, Sept. 8.

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Jeanie Forrester serves on the Meredith Selectboard.