Threat of foreclosure hangs over the heads of a handful of Somerville residents, while officials figure out how best to maintain roads within a shoestring budget.
The town’s board of selectmen talked about road repairs and the ongoing demolition project slated for the Sand Hill Schoolhouse, among other items during their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night.
Also, brought into discussion by Selectman David Stanley were six bank-foreclosed properties in town; properties that currently have liens on them.
“That’s a lot for this town,” said town clerk Ernestine Peaslee, adding that she believes there are about 300 year-round residents in Somerville.
Road commissioner Jesse Turner faces a challenge with the ledge on the Crummett Mountain Road. He said outcroppings of ledge and narrow passage along sections of the road make for difficult maintenance.
The ledge prevents water from washing off the road and during the winter, snow removal is difficult. Selectmen signed a contract for $4960 to blast the ledge, Turner said.
The commissioner would also like to grade the Somerville Road, as it is in rough condition. Depending on the weather, he could grade the road, smoothing out all the pits and potholes. Turner said in order to grade, the road can’t be too dry, nor can it be too wet, as it has been.
The town must also wait until the property on which the Sand Hill Schoolhouse sits has been surveyed before demolishing the building.
Selectmen have submitted a contract for the survey work. While they wait, some of the trees on the property can be cut down, selectmen said.
