Debate continues Who cares for roads at St. John's Peak?

KENT — Years have passed since construction first began on  St. John’s Peak, but the owner’s association still believes that two of their paved roads should have been taken over by the town long ago.

The roads in question are Gorham and Old Homestead. Gorham Road makes a loop around the St. John’s Peak subdivision and is often used by nonresidents, said Eric Cieplik, who represented the owners association at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 7.

These roads, although built to town specifications, are owned by the residents of the subdivision.

“Why would they build the road to town standards if the town wasn’t going to take it over?� said Cieplik, noting that it is more expensive to build a road to these standards than it is to build one that will remain private.

The land that eventually became the St. John’s Peak subdivision was purchased in 1986 by a group of buyers who called themselves the Mount Maumee Partnership.

The property was more recently purchased by American Landsource LLC, who further developed it and sold most of the 50 plots.

Cieplik said that when construction on the roads first began, a bond was submitted to the town to ensure that the work would be done properly. After the construction was inspected and approved by the town engineer and the Planning and Zoning Commission, the bond was returned.

The current residents of St. John’s Peak believe that upon the return of the bond, ownership of the two roads was to be taken over by the town, although neither the owners association nor the town can find any written record of this agreement.

Cieplik does cite “anecdotal evidence� that he believes indicates the existence of an agreement of this sort. One example is a map of the subdivision which indicates that the roads were to become town property. Another is the belief by non-resident drivers that the roads are town property.

If the town were to assume ownership of the roads, it would be responsible for their maintenance. The roads need extensive repairs; Cieplik estimates that the needed work will cost around $100,000.

At the meeting on Dec. 7, it was pointed out that former First Selectman Ruth Epstein had written a letter recommending that the town not take over the roads in their current state. First Selectman Bruce Adams said that he had inspected the roads himself and agreed.

“To us, it’s not a question of the cost. It’s more that we feel that the town made a commitment to assume ownership of the roads once the bond was released,� said Cieplik.

It was decided that the issue should go to town meeting after the owners association produces an accurate estimate of what the repairs will cost.

“At least the dialogue is continuing,� said Cieplik. “We’re very pleased with that. We’re working with the town and the town is working with us.�