OTISFIELD — The Road Study Committee submitted its final report to the Board of Selectmen and asked to be formally disbanded at Wednesday night’s meeting.
Just over two months after the annual town meeting, voters handily defeated a $1.73 million road plan to reconstruct parts of Bell Hill, Gore, Peaco Hill, Powhatan and Rayville roads over the next two years. Committee members presented the board with their final report.
The failed proposal would have been financed by a five-year, $1.73 million bond that would have raised taxes at least 10 percent. Neither selectmen nor Road Commissioner Richard Bean Sr. recommended passing the article at the June 27 annual town meeting, primarily because of the financial impact on taxpayers.
The final report, more than 200 pages with addendums, provides the town with information on town roads that the Road Committee gathered over a four-year period, along with references and specifications that the town can use for a comprehensive road plan.
It also provides recommendations for the future.
“They can use it how they see fit,” Road Committee Vice Chairman David Hyer said after the meeting.
In other news, selectmen said some Heniger Park leaseholders are running into problems with a mandated $400,000 liability insurance that the town has required as part of the 99-year lease.
At least one leaseholder has been told after he signed the new 99-year lease that his insurance will not extend to the required $400,000 liability.
“Our concern is, even though people think they have the (liability) insurance, they don’t,” Board of Selectmen Chairman Hal Ferguson said.
The town has required the $400,0000 insurance on the property to cover what the town’s overall Maine Municipal Association insurance will not cover in case there is a claim.
Selectmen noted that Ross Cudlitz of Engineering Assistance & Design in Yarmouth said a second culvert may be needed to address water and safety issues on Cobb Hill Road, which runs between Route 121 and Scribner Hill Road. The culverts are needed to address water and safety issues on the road.
Major storms in recent years washed out the road, despite previous installation of three culverts.
Last June, annual town meeting voters approved $55,000 for improvements to Cobb Hill Road, including $12,500 for the design by Cudlitz and $42,500 for labor and materials.
Selectmen said there is about $35,000 to $40,000 remaining in the Cobb Hill account and the board must determine whether those funds are enough to cover additional work.
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