Sometimes when you think you have everything you need and you think that you are doing exactly what you need to be doing, you find out you’re wrong!
So, this is a lesson learned and kind of a funny story when I stop to think about it. It’s also frustrating, however, since this has been holding us back from getting started on our project.
Mike and I are trying to get into this driveway building stuff. We have started on a lot of paperwork that we know the town is going to need even for our building permit. I sent some info over to his cousin on the driveway permit since his cousin will be building the driveway for us. We’re looking pretty good I would think!
Well, we’ve been trying to get a hold of the Road Agent in town to see if he can give us some direction on our driveway since it will be crossing a tiny piece of designated wetlands as I discussed in my previous post. Between Mike and I we’ve probably called the Road agent about ½ dozen times and left him at least 3 messages. Each time we’ve called it’s gone straight to voicemail. We started calling him two weeks ago.
My dad got an idea from our soon-to-be-neighbor, whom we also bought the land from. He said to try going to the Selectman’s Meeting that happens every other Tuesday. Why didn’t we think of that first?! It makes sense- go see if the Road Agent is there. Mike’s concern has been upsetting the Road Agent if we went above him to get this done. So he asked me to call the Selectman’s Assistant to see if the Road Agent will even be there.
This is where the funny part comes in. First, the Selectman’s Meeting isn’t this Tuesday- it’s the First and Third Tuesday of the month and Mike and I were both like, oh ya, we’re already that far into May (YIKES!!). Second, the Selectman’s Assistant (a very nice guy) actually retired- good for him! In any case he was helping us. He told me that the reason we couldn’t get a hold of the Road Agent is because he’s no longer the Road Agent. No wonder why we can’t get a hold of him!
He then gave me the new number to the now Road Agent, who use to be the old road agent. Mike called him and discussed with him what we are trying to do. He’s been very helpful already and told us what we need to do for the next steps including giving one of the Selectmen a call because this particular Selectmen can help direct us with what steps we need next (really? Does this come with a manual?! AWESOME!).
Unfortunately, we do need to go to the State to get approval to cross the Wetlands, which means even more time wasted. Ugh. On the Brightside- at least this Road Agent is giving us useful information that will help us speed up the process- and hopefully when we touch base with the Selectman, he can help us further and speed the process right along.
All in all, it’s a little funny because we’ve been trying to get a hold of this guy just to talk to him and discuss what we need to do just to find out that he’s no longer with the Town. On the other hand it is a little frustrating because we have lost quite a bit of time on this process.
I guess it’s all part of the learning process- right?
Best Part: We have some good connections we can use in order to get our answers answered! Fortunately, it seems like we’re moving forward- thanks to the great people that we are now getting a hold of! :)
Love Can Build a Bridge…
Will it build it over my little wetlands area? lol! :)
