To the Editor:
In regards to the article on Bristol’s town meeting (“Bristol voters approve all 53 articles at town meeting,” LCN, 3/19/15, Page 1) my neighbor Mike Alderson raised legitimate points questioning the policy of paving low-use gravel roads.
Between Mike’s, Fire Chief Paul Leeman’s and the selectmen’s comments, less than five minutes elapsed.
The vote was called, seconded, and those of us who came to speak to the paving issue were out of luck.
Mike’s main point was about the economy of paving. I had wanted to speak to the issue of safety. Brown’s Cove is, at this point, a good road to walk and many neighbors do. A 14 foot wide strip of asphalt means two cars meeting must pull off on the shoulder, and it is a fact people generally go faster on paved roads.
With respect to Chief Leeman, I would have liked to point out Route 32 was covered in ice patches this winter, low spots on the asphalt that defy plowing. Having driven on asphalt and gravel roads for many winters, I don’t see how a paved road is safer.
However, there was no chance for extended discussion.
Two years ago the town devoted over half an hour to the fireworks ordinance. This year there was no discussion on any issue other than the road articles. I’ve been to probably seven or eight meetings in other towns in Maine and have never seen anything like it.
