By Joseph Edgerton
Staff Writer

Following a debate with Allenstown residents that was at times heated, insightful and frustrating, Richard Paris and Dan Lapointe of PAL Custom Home Builders removed their barrier from JillErik Road.

Paris and Lapointe met a group of residents on Friday, July 15, to explain why the barrier was in place, and the future of the project.

"We want to let you know what's up," said Paris. "If we take down the barrier now, the state will close the road."

He passed a list to take attendance.

The barrier was erected on Friday, July 8, after the developers became frustrated with the pace of the project.

Paris owns three building lots, one of which contains the road. He has been unable to get a lot line adjustment necessary to build on two, while leaving the third undeveloped.

"This whole issue should have been taken care of 15 years ago, when your money was going into it," said Lapointe. "This is a town blunder. What you voted for was to give the selectmen the right to accept it. They never did."

Paris added, "The selectmen, all three of them, told us they would accept the road on May 27. Then one voted against it. We don't know how they'll vote, and we can't count on their support. We need yours."

From the residents. point of view, three stances were popular. Some blamed the town, others the builders, and still others a combination of the two.

"To the town, the road was never up to code, and it never will be," said Ken Lambert. "You might as well just close it now."

"You're pushing the hand, and you're holding us as bait," said Chris Nye. "You're holding us hostage. We can't work the town for you."

Ryan Durst said, "The town wants nothing to do with the road. They just want their tax check."

Lapointe said that, to this point, the road has been existing on a temporary driveway permit from the Department of Transportation.

Other residents suspected that the root of the problem was not zoning or developing, but money.

"I know you're looking for money," said Jann Mousseau, "but we can't afford $25,000."

Paris said that $25,000 is for recovering his costs - money used for engineers and attorneys.

"The town can't afford to put lawyers up against you," said Marla Murray. "What do your lawyers want from us to keep the road open, besides just attending the selectmen's meeting?"

She added, "All of this feels like greed to me."

Paris replied, "Do you have a building lot? I'll trade you this one for it."

While at times both voices and tensions were raised, the residents and the developers did agree on a few things, namely that both sides needed to go to the town.

"You people (PAL) have a heck of a lot more power than we do," said Claire Audet.

"We support you, and you know it," said Nye. "We'll all go to the meeting and vote for the adjustment. Just don't hold us hostage anymore."

"It's going to be hell if the road closes," said Mousseau. 'We both want the road open' They want the lot line adjustment, and we want the road open. Let's move to the future and forget the past."

At 6:40 p.m., Paris unlocked the chain holding up the makeshift sign. Many residents said they would attend the July 20 selectmen's meeting, but some were still skeptical.

"Will they (PAL) repay everyone who paid for the road initially?" asked Marla Murray. "Will they reimburse the town for the taxes they didn't have to pay for all these years?"