Scenic roadway or dangerous drive?

By FRITZ MAYER

TOWN OF HIGLAND, NY — The Highland Field and Stream Club occupies a big chunk of the Town of Highland, but is bisected by a two-mile stretch of Clark Road. The club would like the town to abandon the road, which would essentially mean that it would become a private road owned by the club.

The decision will be made by Bob Meyer, the commissioner of the Sullivan County Department of Public Works, who is also the county highway superintendent.

In considering abandonment, according to the relevant law, Meyer must ask himself: “Will it cause hardship and injustice to owners and occupants of the land adjoining such highway?”

Residents were split at the public hearing in Eldred on July 21.

Andy Boyar, Highland supervisor, said the club is the single owner of property on either side of the relevant portion of the road, and the closure should therefore cause no harm to anyone else. He also said that the dirt road is practically impassable to two-wheel drive cars at night. He said the cost of making the road passable would be $88,000, while the cost of bringing it up to town specs would be $615,000.

Fred Reber, president of the club, said members wanted to close the road because ATV riders who use it trespass on club property and sometimes poach deer. He said because of the advent of on-vehicle navigational devices, drivers sometimes enter the road not knowing its rough condition, and become stuck.

On the other side of the issue, Fred Bosch, a Highland councilman, said he opposed closing the road because it would mean less road frontage for the club, and thus a reduced tax assessment. Further, the town would receive less highway money from the state. And, he said, “It’s one of the last wild and scenic undeveloped town roads left in Highland. “I personally, along with many others, enjoy an occasional slow drive over Clark Road to Tusten,” said Bosch.

Because the section of the road in question ends at the Tusten town line, residents of that town also spoke. Tusten supervisor Peg Harrison said her board passed a resolution opposing the road closure because it would put people at risk in times of emergency.

There was a difference of opinion about how often the road was used. Several people testified that often months went by without a single car traversing it, while others said they drove on it frequently, and one man said he drove it at least once a week.

One resident said it was not up to the club or the people in the room to give away the road because it belongs to everyone.

Meyer is expected to make a decision on the matter within a couple of weeks.