To whom is a citizen to turn when he or she has a conflict with town officials?
I own two lots in Hill that were subdivided in 1972 and have frontage off a well-maintained right-of-way. These lots were always buildable, but then all of a sudden they were not. No explanation was given. Recently, I was told by a Hill official that “we have a number of lots in town with right-of-ways, but we’re not allowing anyone to build on them.”
This is a violation of our constitutional rights.
In 2013, a friend suggested that if I want results, I should contact Executive Councilor Ray Burton. After I relayed my story to him, he said he would talk to the town because what officials were doing to me was illegal. But, Mr. Burton passed on before he could address the town.
I reached out several times to Executive Councilor Joseph Kenney, who said: “We have spoken on this topic before and I am aware of your contact with Mr. Burton. As you know I have the utmost respect for local control and local decision making. As a state official, I stay out of local matters unless it crosses over into state jurisdiction. Does your road abut state property or is there some type of state involvement with the land?”
Mr. Kenney: Who elected you to office? The state or its citizens?
So to whom does a citizen turn for help? Our state Sen. Jeanie Forrester, who not only listened to my plea and followed up with me but contacted the town. I’m waiting for their response.
Kathe Higgins
Hill