The Maine Alliance for Road Associations (MARA) was formed circa 1998 by Betsy Connor Bowen. MARA is a Non-Profit Corporation with a volunteer Board of Directors currently comprised of five MARA Members: Betsy Connor Bowen, Founder/Director Emeritus, so honored unanimously by the Board on September 19, 2020; Andrew L. (Sandy) Allen, President/Administrator; Roberta Manter, Legislative Liaison; James Bunting, Treasurer; Erin Barker, Director; Ray Bersch, Director.

Ray Bersch was voted Director at our Board Meeting in August 2023. Ray contributed significantly to  MARA's amendment of the Private Ways Statute this past legislative session. 

At our Private Road Association Conference on September 28, 2024, we honored Betsy Connor Bowen, in absentia, with gifts and a Special Award of appreciation for her seminal work in starting the Maine Alliance for Road Associations. A week later, the Board presented her award and gifts in person (Erin via Zoom) at her residence in Hallowell: 

Left to Right: Roberta, Jim, Sandy

Seated: Betsy Connor Bowen, Founder

(Photograph by Ray Bersch)

None of us is an attorney in Maine. Therefore, we cannot interpret law or give legal advice. Opinions expressed by Officers/Directors in replies to member emails or posted to the Discussion Forum are their own, based on experience, and do not represent MARA or its Board.    

Our Alliance remains an online volunteer-sponsored community in response to the need to disseminate information to property owners who wish to form road associations for sharing maintenance costs of private ways under the continually evolving: 

Maine Private Ways Statute

Although informal road associations may be successful for some owners, MARA favors the more formal “Statutory” structure permitted by the Private Ways Statute. This Statute offers road association governance through democratic processes, cost-sharing that is enforceable, and gravel road maintenance that is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Each year in the spring, we publish a Newsletter for our Members aptly entitled, "Mud Season". The Newsletter contains information about us, our finances, articles of common interest, current legislation, and our activities on behalf of people living on private ways in Maine.  Our newest edition, MUDSEASON 2022, is posted below as a possible enticement to join with us. Check it out:

MUDSEASON 2022

MARA sponsors Road Conferences that feature speakers on road association matters of interest such as road association formation, operation, and private road maintenance. See our Events Page for details! 

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