The Kingston Observer: Destruction of Raboth Road

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News: Destruction of Raboth Road

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The Destruction of Raboth Road

by Dan Sapir

For hundreds of years Raboth Road has existed as one of the last bastions of the typical New England cart path with a demonstrated beneficial use. Unlike many of the hundreds of miles of similar trails that crisscross the woodlands of our town, Raboth Road is home for 18 families.

Now you see it -- now you don’t. Somewhere amid the clutter of construction equipment is the start (or finish) of Raboth Road. Can you spot the entrance? Answer at end of article.
Photo by Dan Sapir

The little two mile stretch of dirt road has shown on ancient maps for centuries but in the last 30 years it has been the subject of legal challenges, intrusions and relocations. Yet another battle looms for this piece of rutted road.
There are only two ways to access and egress the road, through Indian Pond Estates or adjacent to the Mall off Smith’s Lane Extension. The Indian Pond end has seen several relocations, the most famous being a home being built directly on the road layout. Most recently a swimming pool project protruded into the layout resulting in a twisting adoption of the road’s path. A recent visit to the Mall will reveal a major expansion project in which the Planning Board has allowed a plan that essentially decimates Raboth Road and the property interests of all residents who call it home.

The resulting layout finds the road beginning or ending in the parking lot of Filene’s. "It’s a mess down there. The Town should have addressed the road issue years ago” according to Town Planner Tom Bott.

Click on image to view Editorial Cartoon

Bott told the Observer that he is pursuing a plan whereby the road may yet seek separation from the mall with access further down Smith’s Lane Extension. Raboth Road resident Fred Svenson says he is familiar with the Bott plan which would bring Raboth Road to a point adjacent to the DiCroce property, currently landlocked with no road frontage. Svenson says lack of access is the only issue blocking a massive 312 unit 40-B plan along Smith’s Lane and Monk’s Hill Road on the DiCroce property. Back in April, Bott told the Observer the plan "has no legs” because of the access issue. During that same interview he said "But stranger things have happened.” The irony is that Bott’s plan could provide the "stranger things.”

Svenson says "The civil rights of 18 people are being trampled.” He acknowledges that he and another resident have already met with Boston Attorney Harold Meizler. "We are going to engage his services” says Svenson. Meizler confirmed to the Observer that he did indeed meet with Raboth residents and had not been placed on retainer as of press time. Meizler is no stranger to Raboth Road issues. He represented businessman/landowner John Hamilton in the early 70’s when Hamilton successfully argued that

Click on map to view Raboth Road on MapQuest.com

Raboth Road served as a public access for anyone with interest rights to the way. At that time Hamilton was conducting a permitted sand and gravel operation at the old Benea pit. The Town appealed that decision to the Appellate Court and lost in 1973. A later appeal to the State Supreme Judicial Court was also unsuccessful. Hamilton told the Observer that what has happened to Raboth Road "is illegal. I can’t believe the Town would want the liability. I don’t understand why the Planning Board took it upon itself to dead end it in a parking lot.” Hamilton said the Town itself owns considerable acreage along Raboth Road and is jeopardizing its own land interests.

A recent memo sent by the Water Commission to the Mall suggests there may be other interests along Smith’s Road Extension. Earlier this month, Water Superintendent Matt Darsch communicated the fact that Water Department rules and regulations require that water mains be constructed "at a depth between 5'-6'. You indicated that I would be provided with a plan showing the elevation of the top of the pipe and the elevation at finished grade. However, If these depths do not meet our requirements, this matter should be addressed with me prior to paving.”

There is speculation that the pipes may be down as deep as 10'. Mall manager Mark Wagner said they are strictly following Planning Board and Water Commission rules and rulings.

The degeneration of Raboth Road is evident with a slow drive down its two mile length. Many areas have become a dumping ground for white goods, demolition debris and an assortment of other materials both identifiable and otherwise. Because the Town has never sought to make any improvements to its surface, the road cannot be patrolled or minimally maintained. While progress has resulted in big business upon and around this small sliver of roadway, history may eventually prove to be a compelling argument for remediation.

Answer: Raboth Road is pictured to the left of the photo.

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