NORWELL - September 3 - The Norwell Select Board heard concerns from High Street residents Bill and Joy Lavery on Tuesday night about the Highway Department's plan to eliminate existing curb cuts during upcoming road improvements, potentially leaving them without adequate access to their property and backyard.
The Full Story
Bill Lavery, who lives at 125 High Street, addressed the board during citizen comments about Highway Director Glenn Ferguson’s plan to remove two of three existing curb cuts as part of the ongoing High Street improvement project. The Laverys have lived at the property for 46 years and currently use multiple access points - one for their main driveway leading to the garage, and another parking area that also provides essential access to their backyard for septic system maintenance.
"He told me he's gonna take away the little driveway area because there's not enough, he can't put a curbing to protect the next driveway," Lavery explained to the board. When Ferguson suggested widening the main driveway by paving over most of the front lawn, Lavery said his wife objected to losing their landscaping.
The situation is complicated by what appears to be inconsistent treatment of similar properties. At 129 High Street, the Highway Division plans to connect an existing parking area to the main driveway rather than eliminate it entirely, allowing those residents to maintain both access points.
Select Board member Andy Reardon, who visited the Lavery property to assess the situation, confirmed the residents' concerns. "Currently, without a curb cut, he has no backyard," Reardon told the board, noting that the additional access is necessary not just for parking but for maintenance access to the rear of the property.
The new granite curbing will be installed at the edge of the High Street sidewalk on town property. Reardon said he has requested a meeting with the highway surveyor to discuss the matter, noting that the existing curb cuts have been in place for approximately 30-40 years.
Chair Pete Smellie acknowledged that similar issues may affect other High Street residents who may not yet realize they could lose existing curb cuts. "You won't be the only house," Smellie told the Laverys. "Imagine at least a few others once they realize what's happening are gonna have similar issues and concerns."
The board discussed the town's existing curb cut policy, with member Ren Layne noting that the policy specifically addresses new cuts, not existing ones. "It does not seem to... I don't see any obvious infractions on that," Layne said after reviewing the policy during the meeting.
In other business, the board approved a naming policy for the Norwell Public Library that will allow the library trustees to accept monetary and in-kind gifts for naming opportunities while maintaining Select Board oversight of the process. Town Counsel Bob Galvin had revised the policy to ensure the board retains authority over accepting gifts and to prevent situations where wealthy donors with controversial backgrounds could essentially purchase naming rights.
"You might find somebody that stands for something that you don't stand for, the town doesn't stand for, that has a lot of money, that wants to name something after somebody, and you don't want to be in a position where you can't say no," Galvin explained.
The policy allows Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan to handle smaller monetary gifts expeditiously, while requiring larger donations and all in-kind gifts to come before the Select Board. For significant in-kind donations, donors must provide appraisals at their own expense to justify claimed values.
The board also appointed member John McGrath as their new liaison to the Advisory Board, replacing the previous representative who had conflicts with meeting schedules.
Select Board members indicated they plan to invite Highway Director Ferguson to a future meeting to discuss the High Street curb cut issues comprehensively, potentially combining it with other outstanding drainage and infrastructure concerns on Main Street.
Why It Matters
The High Street curb cut dispute highlights the tension between infrastructure improvements and protecting existing property rights. For the Laverys and potentially other long-time residents, losing driveway access could significantly impact their ability to maintain their properties and access essential services like septic system maintenance. The inconsistent application of curb cut restrictions also raises questions about fairness and due process in municipal projects.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve the Norwell Public Library naming policy as submitted. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:21:30)
Motion: Appoint John McGrath as Select Board liaison to the Advisory Board. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:23:04)
Motion: Adjourn the meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:25:52)
Public Comment
Bill and Joy Lavery addressed concerns about losing existing curb cuts on High Street during planned road improvements. They emphasized the necessity of maintaining backyard access for property maintenance and questioned inconsistent treatment compared to neighboring properties.
What's Next
Select Board members Andy Reardon and Pete Smellie will meet with Highway Director Glenn Ferguson to discuss the High Street curb cut issues. The board may add this topic to a future meeting agenda if the informal discussions don't resolve residents' concerns. The board also plans to identify other High Street properties that may be similarly affected.