To the editor:
On May 21, the Town of Hodgdon will be holding a special town meeting for winter road closings. This has never been done before. Up for discussion will be the possibility of opening a portion of the London Rd. for winter maintenance and plowing. Deciding whether or not the road should be opened for winter maintenance is a complicated question involving issues of dollars and cents, legalities, liabilities and fairness. My husband, Timothy and I are respectfully asking you to attend this meeting and make an informed decision at a town vote which will be held on June 18.
Many of you know us already or have met us at sometime previously during the past 10 years. It is because of your kindness, friendliness and wholesome values, Timothy and I decided to make Hodgdon our home. For those of you who do not know us, I will share with you briefly a little bit about who we are. Tim is an OTR driver and has worked for the same company, A&R Transport, for almost 20 years. When he’s not on the road, he’s working around the house taking care of things. He has made many friends here in Hodgdon and now he actually takes time to sit and visit with them and enjoy some “down time.”
I worked as an LPN for more than 20 years, then changed careers to become a special education teacher. I love meeting the unique challenges presented to children with disabilities and helping them achieve the academic and social skills important to becoming successful young adults. In the near future, Tim and I would like to start an agri-business on our property which is conveniently located on the ATV/snowmobile trails.
In short, Tim and I want to live contentedly in our home, have safe and convenient travel to our jobs and shopping, and also have access to emergency 9-1-1 services should it be needed, 12 months a year, not just from May to November.
Extending winter road maintenance on the London Rd. should be considered an investment in the town’s growth and tax base. There are at least two other property owners on this road who would also like to build and live here which would result in long-term tax dollars and patrons of local businesses. There is also a strong likelihood some of our family will be following in our footsteps and if this is the case, we will subdivide so they can build a home near ours. However, if the road remains closed, the possibility of new homes and an increased tax base are highly unlikely.
In addition to the long-term benefits of opening the road are some of the issues of legality and fairness which will be discussed at the town meeting.
• Our tax rate is the same as yours and our house is located on a town way.
• Prior to building our home, the town issued us a legal building permit with no restrictions.
• In the past, the town of Hodgdon has extended winter road maintenance to other new home builders and without the procedure of a town meeting/vote.
• Maine state law MSRA Title 23, 2953 states road closing procedures should be made “with reference to population, use and travel thereon” of the road.
• Maine state law MSRA 3651 states “Highways, town ways and streets legally established shall be opened and kept in repair so as to be safe and convenient for travelers with motor vehicles…”
We have only asked the township for winter plowing and have never requested major, costly road improvements. Thank you so much for your consideration of this matter. We hope to see you at the Hodgdon Special Town Meeting May 21st.
Timothy and Deborah Wynes
Hodgdon
