Sterling Right-of-Way Policy

Town of Sterling

Department of Public Works

171 Worcester Road

Sterling, MA 01564

 

Right of Way Policy

Revised 11/2021

 

Purpose: To set a standard of policy to clarify the responsibilities of the Town and property owner in regard to the Town’s right of way.

Background: Right of way refers to the property owned by the Town of Sterling including the improved roadway and the areas adjacent to the improved roadway.  Right of way widths vary depending on the layout of the street.  Often the improved roadway is centered within the Town’s right of way, however that is not always the case.

Policy:  

The Town owns the roadside right of way and retains all rights to maintain these areas for clear visibility, snow storage and public safety or other purposes in the best interest of the Town.

Property owners may maintain the Town’s right of way in front of their property in a manner that does not impede on the improved roadway or other town owned infrastructure within the right of way (fire hydrants, street signs etc).

Much of the Town’s roadway drainage travels through open channels or swales along the right of way. Roadway drainage channels may not be modified, filled in, altered, blocked or directed through a pipe without written approval from the Department of Public Works.

The Town of Sterling Department of Public Works (DPW) is not responsible for damage, repair, or replacement of private property placed within the right of way including, but not limited to: signs, vehicles, landscaping including grass and plantings, fences, mailboxes, irrigation systems, underground pet containment systems and other structures, placed within Town owned right of way (ROW)/layout unless specified in another Town policy. 

The construction or placement of walls, fences, irrigation, underground pet containment systems, basketball hoops and other structures within the Town owned right of way is prohibited.

This policy is in effect from the accepted date forward.

 

Accepted as Town of Sterling policy by the DPW Board on   November 9, 2021