Selectmen outline conditions if Winnipesaukee Drive is accepted as town road; residents advised on utilities and possible escrow

Residents petitioning to turn Winnipesaukee Drive over to the town were told July 15 that the Selectmen's staff would consider acceptance but that underground resident-owned electrical utilities complicate transfer.

Interim Town Manager Barry Muccio told the board that town counsel and public works raised concerns about buried utilities and potential future digging: "Town could accept the road ' but suggests a bond or escrow account funded by the residents would be needed," Muccio said. Staff noted there are no as-built plans on file and that utilities installed 40-plus years ago may be direct-bury cable rather than conduit, complicating future repairs. Muccio gave the Orchards project as an example in which residents paid about $350,000 for a one-mile overhead/underground utility change; he said replacing underground conduit across Winnipesaukee Drive could cost over $1 million for about a mile.

Resident Ed Geff acknowledged he understood the town's position and said the community's reserve fund was modest. The board asked for a formal checklist (including an as-built, title search and clear policy) and suggested the community consider hiring an expert to locate and assess the utilities before the town makes a decision.