On Monday the Dresden Board of Selectmen discussed issues concerning rangeways, or paper roads, so called because they often only exist on paper.

One of the issues is related to a rangeway off Old County Road at the top of Call’s Hill. It was drawn by Kennebec proprietors in early colonial times, but remains on maps today as a public right-of-way. The rangeway threatens to curb Phippsburg resident George Bowker's ongoing home construction and development plan. 

Bowker's plan must proceed according to land and rangeway designation on town maps, Administrative Assistant Trudy Foss said.

Additionally, Bowker must clear his work with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Bowker wants to have a gravel pit on his property, but the board objected to any further development unless previous environmental violations from the roadwork have been settled with the Department of Environmental Protection.

“I want the DEP to sign off before we do anything,” Chairman Phil Johnston said.

Although the developer has been continuing plans for further development, the board questioned how far it can go right now given the violations, which concerned environmental problems with water runoff affecting the Nequasset Watershed.

“We can’t stop them from putting in culverts and getting to their property,” Selectman Allan Moeller said.

Another problem on one of the rangeways off Old County Road occurred recently when an ATV driver encountered a wire cable across one of them as a barrier. The driver was reportedly knocked from the ATV and could have been seriously injured.

Johnston said the town ought to check the cables and contact the Maine Department of Fisheries and Wildlife about the issue, as many come into contact with rangeways without awareness of exactly what they are or in some cases that they exist.

Road repair plans

Moeller brought up plans to make necessary repairs on town roads, including a stretch of road on Blinn Hill, which he urged the board to approve right away before the condition of the road deteriorates more, resulting in considerably more in cost. He estimated the total cost of the maintenance project to be between $35,000 and $50,000 in appropriated funds, including culverts and ditching in certain places.

The board discussed having three written bids for winter sand and establishing a policy on all bidding to make the process consistent for all projects and materials. Until now, the town has decided each item separately rather than having a set way to handle each one, according to Johnston.

Transfer station issues

The board voted to put the $174 collected from can and bottle money at the transfer station to into the fire department ATV account. Then the board voted to go along with Selectman David Probert’s recommendation to use some of the available $900 plus in the account for clearing the property surrounding the station.

At its last board meeting, members went along with his suggestion to clear the area for public use, since the public has not taken advantage of the offer to raise plants there. Probert has been speaking with a local contractor about leveling the section set aside for a skating rink which has not been level enough to hold the water evenly.

Other business

The board went along with Johnston’s suggestion to remove the Pownalborough Courthouse Cemetery work from the board's agendas pending commitment from the Lincoln County Historical Society. The board originally agreed to provide $3,000 from its ancient cemetery fund along with a $5,000 commitment to cover the rest.

The board will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 27, at Pownalborough Hall at 6 p.m. and its next workshop on Monday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Town Office. The board plans to draft a bidding policy at the workshop.