Highlands Overlook Landowners Association
Here are some frequently asked questions of the board and chairperson

Q & A

1. How do snowmobiles get to the lake from the Overlook?
a. You may ride along the north side Overlook Road – staying close to the road and within the orange cones to reach Route 4 and follow path to the lake.

2. How do snowmobiles get to the lake from the Highlands?
a. To be determined

3. Can you tell me about the B & B in the Highlands?

a. The Douglas Family realizes that many home and land owners in HOLA today did not own properties when we bought our lot in 1996 and therefore were not involved in the town meetings, HOLA discussions and informal opportunities to meet the Douglas Family in person to hear the plans for the property prior to our purchasing it. We did everything with consideration of our neighbors specifically our abutting neighbors when we consider buying land in Rangeley. We were interested in purchasing land that we could build a Bed and Breakfast on. When considering the purchase of the Lakeview Highland's property, we would only buy it if we received a conditional use permit (CUP) from the town of Rangeley. Our request was for a small B&B (no more than five rooms) in accordance with "residential zoning" laws. There were many folks concerned, many town meetings, even one town meeting that a Senator of the State attended to hear our plans. We answered everyone's questions with satisfaction and were granted by the town of Rangeley (which our property is in the limits of) the conditional use permit (CUP) for the property and future building which provided us what we required to buy the lot. We have had many guests over the years and have not received one compliant from our neighbors. If you hear of any please let us know so that we may address it in person.
Dave and Nancy Douglas


4. What are the requirements for road width within HOLA?
a. HOLA owned land for the roads (and right of ways) vary between 30 to 60 feet wide.
b. There is a great variety in suggested road widths. Most of the roads within HOLA are 14-18’ wide.
c. According to Wiki Answers: In any case, lanes are usually about 7 or 8 feet wide, so a road with two lanes would be between 14 and 16 feet wide. Cars are 5.5 to 6.5 feet wide.
d. Dallas Hill Road traveling surface is 20 feet
e. Route 4 traveling surface is 22 feet

5. Why are the roads crowned so much?
a. The most important thing to encourage proper drainage on roads located on gentle terrain is to make sure that the road has a “crown” – that it is higher at the center than at its sides – so water will drain to ditches or off onto the surrounding landscape, and not stay on the road. A crown should be 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch high for every foot of the road’s width from centerline to side, according to Lanoie.

6. Why do we need good ditches?
a. According to Russ Lanoie of Conway, NH (whose business includes dirt and gravel road construction and maintenance) the problems with dirt and gravel roads can be boiled down to the three principles: Drainage, Drainage, Drainage! Whether you have ruts, roadside erosion, cave-ins, the root of the problem is usually the road’s inability to handle water. The primary outlet for drainage is the roadside ditch and these ditches should not get closer than a foot from the roadside. Maintaining dirt and gravel roads isn’t easy but it is less expensive and easier to maintain than a paved one.

7. What happens to the dirt that is removed from the ditches?
a. We are always looking for places to dispose of the dirt that is removed during ditching. It is less expensive for HOLA if we can find a place within the HOLA properties to dispose of the dirt that is removed from the ditches instead of paying for a truck and driver to transport it across town or several miles away to dispose of it. If anyone would like "fill" which contains rocks, roots, dirt etc that is removed from the ditches---just let the board know so your name can go on the list for next year. A location has to be predetermined so that when the work is being done the contractor can just dump it in the correct place.

8. Does everyone have “deeded water access” if they own property within HOLA?
a. No, not everyone has chosen to own the waterfront. But, if you purchase property without deeded water access, you may purchase it from the Association. See waterfront page for details.

9. What do I need to know prior to starting a building project?
a. HOLA Owners who start a project requiring excavation and/or the use of heavy trucks in the HOLA area are required to forward a non-refundable payment of $1,000 for the construction of a new home and $500 for other projects requiring heavy equipment, 72 hours prior to commencing work, to the HOLA Treasurer. See Road Policy for more details.

10. Does HOLA have any employees?
a. No, all work done to take care of the business of the organization is done be volunteers. The Board of Directors volunteer for a 3 year term and are elected at the annual meeting by the membership.

11. Do you need to be a full time resident to be on the Board of Directors?
a. No, the board meets 6 times a year, usually Jan. Mar. May, July, Sept. and November on the second Saturday of the month.