Opinion ID: 2371662
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Discontinuance

Text: Blagbrough argues that even if Old Peterborough Road was established as a public highway, it was discontinued. Once it is shown that a road is a public highway, the highway is presumed to exist until it is discontinued, and discontinuance is not favored in the law. Davenhall v. Cameron, 116 N.H. 695, 696-97, 366 A.2d 499 (1976). Discontinuance is a fact that must be proved and the burden is upon the party who asserts discontinuance to prove it by clear and satisfactory evidence. Because public roads are discontinued by town vote, and such actions are recorded . . ., the best evidence of discontinuance is the official record. Id. (citations omitted); see also RSA 231:43 (Supp.2006) (discussing discontinuance). Blagbrough advances several arguments for discontinuance in its brief. First, citing State v. Canterbury, 40 N.H. 307, 312-13 (1860), Blagbrough argues: The Burton Highway Petition did reference the Old Peterborough Road. However, the Petition spoke of laying out a road (the Burton Highway) to the Old Road but then in an entirely different direction. Thus, although it references Old Peterborough Road, the Burton Highway Petition did not have the effect of confirming its existence. Instead, it had the effect of discontinuing Old Peterborough Road. (Citations omitted.) The trial court rejected Blagbrough's argument that the road depicted or referenced in the various maps and other documents introduced by A & T and the Town is some road or roads other than the same Old Peterborough Road described in the Blagbrough deed and the drawing recorded with that deed in the registry. We find Blagbrough's argument unavailing. The Burton Highway Petition describes the layout of the Burton Highway as running past markers such as sticks, stones, stakes, birch trees, unidentified types of trees, and beech trees, among many other types of markers. Blagbrough has not directed us to any exhibit admitted by the trial court that clearly delineates all of these markers and supports its position. Indeed, in the exhibits admitted by the trial court and provided to us in connection with this appeal, we find no maps that identify these particular trees, stones, and stakes. While a Burton Highway layout plan is contained in A & T's appendix, Blagbrough does not rely upon it in its brief as a point of reference for its argument. Without such maps, which Blagbrough (as the party appealing this issue) was responsible for providing us, see Sup.Ct. R. 13(2), 16(3)(d), we have no way of evaluating the precise trajectory of the Burton Highway or the implications of that trajectory on Old Peterborough Road. Furthermore, the Burton Highway Petition describes a layout of the Burton Highway  it does not describe a layout of the Old Peterborough Road. Therefore, and given the strong presumption against discontinuance, we find the Burton Highway Petition's vague references to Old Peterborough Road, without more, do not compel a finding that Old Peterborough Road was discontinued. Blagbrough also argues that the trial court erred in concluding that discontinuance had not been established because it did not give enough weight to: (1) the testimony of Kenton Blagbrough; (2) the testimony of the Town's former road agent; and (3) certain maps offered into evidence which supported its position. The resolution of conflicts in the evidence and determination of issues of fact are functions of the trier of fact. Because the proper standard of review with respect to the weight of evidence is not whether this court would have found differently but whether a reasonable person could find as did the trial court, we will not disturb the decision of the finder of fact unless it is clearly erroneous. The trial court, acting as the finder of fact, is not required to explain away all inconsistencies in the evidence presented at trial. Barrows v. Boles, 141 N.H. 382, 396-97, 687 A.2d 979 (1996) (brackets, citations, and quotations omitted); see also Rancourt v. Town of Barnstead, 129 N.H. 45, 50, 523 A.2d 55 (1986) (The credibility and weight to be given to a witness' testimony is a question of fact for the trial court. If the findings can reasonably be made on all the evidence, they must stand.). Our review of the record reflects that the trial court's factual determinations are adequately supported by the testimony and other evidence presented at trial. Further, in light of the strong presumption against discontinuance, the fact that some maps may have been inconsistent with others in their labeling of Old Peterborough Road is not dispositive.