15b: a report on converting private streets to public: miles of private streets, the process residents use, the legal and fiscal cost of the city taking over all of them, and what other municipalities do.
Discussion
Mitra said conversion costs to residents make petitions hard and described about 400 miles of private streets (his figure).
Ojeda asked about the private road maintenance rate; the City Manager answered his questions on 15b.
2026-09-15 - City Council — Order (item 9e) adopted 11-0. Eric D. Batista explained that the $6 per linear foot figure is a maintenance charge for private roads the Council approves on petition, separate from conversion, which is assessed on frontage square footage, and said the rate has not changed in a long time and depends on funding.
2026-09-14 - Public Works Committee - On the Wigwam Hill Dr. streetlight petition Robert A. Bilotta asked whether the city could limit how long private streets may be; John K. Westerling said planning regulates subdivisions and DPW recommends against private ways because condo associations often exist only on paper, though private developments are encouraged to have lighting. See Streetlight Petitions and Lighting Budget.
2026-07-21 - Public Works Committee — Earlier case study: the Wildwood Ave. public way petition was recommended for denial after residents objected to conversion costs (about $430 per linear foot). Jay Mello said state law caps temporary repairs on private ways at $6 per linear foot with no resurfacing or drainage. See Wildwood Avenue Public Way Petition.