Parcel 141
A decade long property rights litigation chronicle involving an old Vermont country road
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Vermont has many roads that were laid up in survey journals in the late 1700’s that were never built. If these roads have never been properly discontinued they remain public rights-of-way and some are “rising up from the dead” and challenging the validity of a landowner’s existing marketable title. As a result, some title insurance companies are refusing to offer title insurance to homeowners of certain municipalities. Vermont has legislatively addressed these dubious rights-of- way that are now referred to as ancient roads or unidentified corridors. The provocative decade long legal case documented in this book serves as a lollapalooza for each state to successfully create a process to identify and clarify such roads. This book will assist landowners, attorneys, politicians, legal representatives, title insurance companies, historical title researchers, lobbyists, municipal officials, educators and those involved identifying town roads gain an understanding that Vermont Ancient Road Bill – Act 178 - is more than an exercise in academia. A “must read” for a landowner interested in ascertaining the maximum developmental potential of their land, or, their abutters…
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About the Book
In the 1700’s, municipalities mapped roads in survey journals, yet many were never built – nor were they properly discontinued and remain public rights-of-way today. These rights-of-way have become the focus of several land disputes. Vermont is at the forefront to legislatively address this nationwide issue.
In Parcel 141, author Kate Chatot documents her personal experience with a decade long legal case involving a road with an unidentified status, prescriptive law and current property rights. This legal case evokes a strong sense of confusion, frustration, a sense of injustice, and ultimately justice. Parcel 141 confronts one with the virtue of patience and aptly imparts the lesson that the wheels of justice do grind, but slowly.
About the Author
This is Kate Chatot’s first book. It chronicles her personal experience with a decade long challenge to protect her family’s property rights. Her main mission warns of the repercussions when taking risks involving property law. The book evolved into a mission to educate others about Vermont’s Legislative Ancient Road Bill - Act 178 – passed during its 2006 session. She is a native Vermonter and resides in Cabot, Vermont.