The city of Saco should rethink its policy regarding private roads. Why change the policy? The major reason is that these private roads might require upgrading to current standards.

The cost of the upgrade might not fall on individuals who created the roads and live along them – it would fall on Saco taxpayers. Upgrading private roads could be a challenge without easements and planning for utilities, storm water systems or emergency service access.

Picture a fire truck responding to a call and hitting a stretch of unmaintained road. The truck becomes mired down and blocks other emergency vehicles from passing.

What follows are questions, calls and blame. A house maybe burns or death results from the unimproved road. Lawsuits follow involving the city, abutting neighbors, developers, mortgage holders, etc. Neighbors will pressure the city to improve the unaccepted roadway. Guess who will be asked to pay for improvement? Taxpayers!

Saco zoning allows building on unimproved roadways and, in some cases, on abandoned roads. The city’s current policy is a result of haphazard development and pressure to continue the same approach, leading to a maze of unimproved private roads connecting to improved roads within a small area. The Berry Road area is an example of a maze of improved, unimproved and abandoned roadways; houses are all within a stone’s throw of each section of roadway.

This reflects the current state of a creeping maze of bad policy involving private roads in the city. There are other similar situations throughout the city. Please reference Item B on Page 4 of the Oct. 11 City Council packet: the private roads diagram. Private roads are marked in red.

Saco Citizens for Sensible Government calls on the City Council to preclude development on unimproved, unacceptable or abandoned roads.

John Harkins

chairperson, Saco Citizens for Sensible Government

Saco

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