Informal Opinion No.

Russell Bennett, Esq. Town Attorney, Sand Lake

I am writing in response to your request for an Attorney General's opinion regarding the closure of town roads under section 171 of the Highway Law.

As your letter states, the highway in question is a dirt road, under 1000 feet long, which runs between two highways in the town of Sand Lake. The town is considering closing the road because it has become a nuisance in recent years, being used primarily for parking by persons loitering on and about a nearby private dam. The road became a public highway by use pursuant to section 189 of the Highway…