State law cited as superseding local Range Road rules as committee weighs insurance and waiver requirements

Committee members and staff discussed policy questions for Range Roads after selectmen hearings: the board is considering what it will require from applicants who want to upgrade range roads, including bonds or retainers to pay engineering review. One committee member asked whether Range Roads were open; staff said they are open for travel but that property owners still need selectmen permission to do improvements.

The group discussed insurance and emergency access implications: speakers said insurers frequently require inspections for new buildings and that if a fire truck cannot access a property, getting insurance or reasonable premiums will be difficult. Alternatives such as sprinkler systems or cisterns were raised as potential mitigations. Multiple speakers stated the new state law now overrides the town's earlier ordinance requirement that a road be built to town specs unless waived: "Does the state overrule the town? Yeah. It does. It's a it's a state law now," a committee member said, and members agreed the ordinance may need revision.