Norway to seek legal advice on gate relocation

NORWAY — Selectmen, at their January 3 meeting, agreed to consult with the town attorney about relocating a gate at the end of Buck Road to prevent further theft and vandalism of nearby properties. 

"It's a legitimate concern," Town Manager David Holt said. 

Landowners, Walt Suomela and Christopher Cooper, wrote a letter to the town on December 10 asking for permission to construct a durable swing gate 200 feet west of the present gate on Buck Road, at no expense to the town.

At the December 20 meeting, selectmen tabled the issue to discuss the matter further with the two landowners. 

Suomela attended the January 3 selectmen meeting to explain why relocating the gate is necessary. 

"Mr. Cooper and I have had issues with vandalism and theft of our properties," he said.

"Over the years, his [Cooper's] apples have been stolen, his fence has been damaged tremendously. Copper from my plumbing ... underneath the base of my house ... has been stolen."

Suomela said he hopes to resolve the issue by relocating the gate 200 feet down the road and by erecting signs at the intersection of Buck and Shedd roads that read "Dead End – No Turn Around."

He said the plan is to prevent people from "getting into mischief" at the apple orchard, barn and other properties. 

According to Selectman Russ Newcomb, Buck Road is a public road and there was concern about the impact that closing that section off would have on other landowners. 

He asked Suomela whether a gate could be constructed just before the apple orchard.

"They wouldn't be impacted, where the gate would be located," Suomela said, of the other landowners. He explained that there was previously a gate to the apple orchard that had been vandalized. 

Holt said he was sympathetic to the request – however, because the 200-foot section of road is town-owned, it can't be gated off to the public. 

"It's not that they should be there, it's that they have a right to be there," Holt pointed out. He suggested perhaps discontinuing the road, or at least the 200-foot section. 

He explained the town, in the past, discontinued Damon Road, and in the process, learned that it requires "good cooperation from every landowner." 

He said in discontinuing a road, the town has to pay damages to all affected property owners. 

"Most properties are worth more if they are served by a public road," Holt explained.

Holt said he would contact town attorney Geoff Hole for advice about discontinuing Buck Road or relocating the gate.