Some homeowners may be surprised to learn that what they thought was theirs actually belongs to the town.
GRANBY – In the next few weeks the Highway Department in this town will be trimming back foliage that’s a danger to drivers because it obstructs their view.
In these cases, “right of way” doesn’t mean what it means in a drivers’ instruction manual. It means the town can do what’s necessary with town property.
Some homeowners may be surprised to learn that what they thought was theirs actually belongs to the town, said Granby Highway Department Superintendent David Desrosiers.
David Desrosiers“People tend to think that because they mow grass right up to the curb line, it’s their property,” said Desrosiers, “but that’s not the case.
“A good rule of thumb is 15 feet beyond the edge of the asphalt,” he said. That’s what belongs to the town. “We need room to put up signs and room for snow,” he explained.
If necessary, the Highway Department can show up with a metal detector to locate “pins” in the ground that mark off the town’s property.
The pins are installed when the road is laid out, and they remain in place as lawns and gardens expand over the years.
When it comes to foliage, “typically it’s not a problem unless it’s at an intersection," said Desrosiers.
The band of grass that adorns some sidewalks also belongs to the town, even if residents take on the responsibility of mowing it. “With our staff and manpower, we can only do so many things,” said Desrosiers.
One of those things is public safety.
“We get complaints regularly about line-of-sight problems,” said Desrosiers, referring to situations in which visibility is hampered. Most homeowners are cooperative when the situation is explained, said Desrosiers, whose office keeps an eye on 25 intersections in Granby with “sign distance limitations.”
A small number of residents are contentious, he said. “A few years back, we were able to trim back significantly,” he said, “with a police officer.”