GRAND ISLE, Maine – Grand Isle residents are concerned about the lack of maintenance on the Grivois Road, which resulted in two families stranded in their homes for several days last winter, according to a petition filed by residents.
The petition also outlines an incident on March 10 in which six inches of snow fell after a thaw that created deep mud ruts along the last mile of the road. The town, according to the petition, refused to plow this part of the road because of the damage it could cause to the municipal vehicle. As a result, the petition asserted that two families were stranded for several days until the snow melted.
The petition was originally brought to the commissioners and signed by residents who either live on the Grivois Road or the adjacent Parent Road. Eleven people signed the petition, which claims that the town has neglected its responsibility to maintain the road, making it unsafe.
These concerns were discussed during an Aug. 7 public hearing hosted by the Aroostook County Commissioners at the Grand Isle Town Office. The hearing began with an introduction from the commissioners followed by a recess to tour the road itself – after which the commissioners heard comments from petitioners, residents, and then by town officials.
Josiah Loverin, who resides on the road, led a convoy of vehicles along the road – stopping at various points of the road where issues have occurred.
County Administrator Ryan Pelletier said that they are only looking for areas where the road becomes completely impassable. Loverin showed one spot where runoff occurs, saying that it could lead to a worse issue if it is not fixed in time. He later led officials up to an area near his home where the road became completely impassable earlier this year.
Pelletier, during the outdoor tour, asked selectman Raylan Lagasse if the town’s public works department – which only consists of one employee – does summer as well as winter maintenance.
As far as equipment, Lagasse said they have a grader that needed repairs last year. Aside from this, the department also has a loader and a dump truck.
Once residents and officials returned to the town office, they shared concerns about how the road desperately needs more attention.
Randy Violette, who owns property on the road and travels it nearly every day, said that his father also lives on the road. Violette said his father has stage four COPD and other health issues, and that it is critical to make sure the road is both passable and maintained.
He said the road is graded too low, and that water has no place to go.
“We don’t mind the potholes,” he said. “We’re not asking for a paved road, just for a place for the water to go, and over the last few years it’s gotten worse and worse. It’s not maintained the way it’s supposed to be.”
Lagasse, who is also a resident, said during the hearing that this is only the second year they have plowed this far down the road, and that they began doing so when a landowner purchased property in that area. He said the first year went well, but last winter they did receive complaints about heavy trucks being on the road, which can lead to problems that cause the road to become impassable.
“Enforcement of that is really difficult, because we don’t have a police department, and it isn’t necessarily the highest thing for our state and county law enforcement to come and help us with that.”
Commissioner Norman Fournier asked if the public works department’s $30,000 budget includes all town roads. Town officials said it covers 12 total roads.
No action was taken during the hearing, which was solely intended for gathering comments. Pelletier said a recommendation will be made, based on the public comments, and considered by the commissioners at a future meeting.
