I retired and moved to Portland from New Hampshire over a year ago. My son and his family are also considering moving up here.

I’ve been looking at real estate and came across a home that was for sale on what they call a “paper street.” I’d never heard of this term and called City Hall. I was told there are about 25 “paper streets” in Portland and the city has no plans to pave them.

I was shocked that people are paying property taxes on homes located on streets that are not paved.

My son has multiple sclerosis and has trouble walking, but because the home I saw is on a paper street, the mail is not delivered to the house, as all the mailboxes are located on the corner up the street.

Why is the city neglecting to pave these streets? I really do not want to hear that 30 years ago a contractor did not get permission to build homes there. The city has been collecting property taxes from these people all along, and the tax rate is the same as it is for homes on a paved street.

Needless to say, we are not buying this house, as my son needs to live on a paved street with decent mail delivery and his son wants to ride his bike. If we bought this home, his property taxes would be more than mine.

Karen Gaber

Portland