Historic records show Shaw's Pond access designated a class 6 road; board warned grant could fail

At the meeting the town historian reported archival research into the access road to Shaw's Pond (also referred to in the discussion as Beach Street), including copies of RSAs and State DOT letters dating to the 1950s and 1960s. She reported that documentation suggests the road was designated a class 6 town highway with gates and bars in the period following its 1957 layout, and she said the state Fish and Game Department and DOT retained original files relevant to that classification. That legal status matters because at least one grant application under consideration requires a class 5 right‑of‑way; she cautioned that a grant application made by a town resident or committee "will fail if this is determined to be a class 6."

Board members discussed the implications and agreed the town attorney should review the documents and that any further legal interpretation may require involvement of the Governor and Executive Council. There was no immediate change in town position; staff and counsel will advise on next steps and whether a reclassification path exists.