This board does not have the authority to abandon a road that is in use, nor convert a public right of way to a private right of way. Even though the town doesn’t own the road, the town owns a right of way.”

Town Attorney, Michael McGuire

GLEN SPEY – A summer camp in Glen Spey is asking the Town of Lumberland to approve the closure of a public road that runs through the camp, but Town Attorney Michael McGuire says the town does not have the authority to do so.

A public hearing was held Wednesday night at the Lumberland Town Hall where a sizeable crowd showed up. However, comments from the public were not heard as the town board closed the public hearing following McGuire’s comments. 

Engineer John Fuller, representing Camp Teumim, presented plans to the town board, which included putting a gate on the side of Brookwood Road that connects to Proctor Road and a cul-de-sac on the other end where there are residences. 

Brookwood Road is a small, gravel road that begins at the entrance of the camp, going through its property before turning and running toward the Lochada Lake community. 

Engineer Fuller said closing the road is a matter of safety. 

“Our request [is] founded on the basis of providing enhanced safety and security in the camp, because of the unusual condition of having a public right of way that navigates through the center of a camp for youth,” Fuller said. 

He added that the proposal of a closed road would allow for town personnel and emergency vehicles to still be able to have access. 

Town Attorney McGuire said he was “confident” that the law doesn’t allow the town board to consider this application.

“This board does not have the authority to abandon a road that is in use, nor convert a public right of way to a private right of way,” McGuire said. “Even though the town doesn’t own the road, the town owns a right of way.”

After McGuire’s decree, the town board closed the public hearing, prompting the large crowd to exit the town hall as the board continued with its regular meeting inside. 

Owner of Camp Teumim, Yakov Metzger, said they will continue to pursue options. 

“We’ll have to speak with our engineer and lawyers and discuss what the next best plan is that works for the neighbors and works for us for the safety of the children,” Metzger told the Democrat. 

Separate from the road issue, the camp’s owners are looking to subdivide a parcel of land that they own adjoining the camp, which is located across the border in the Town of Highland. 

“We are looking to do a full development of the land, which is essentially going to be a subdivision with a private road, with minimum three-acre lots,” Fuller said. “So we’re looking at 20-plus lots.” 

No application has come before the Town of Highland yet.