Our road is a dead end road.  The first property owner gets very upset when anyone goes by at a speed greater than 5 - 10 mph.  Numerous times her husband has stopped and scolded people, even when we are certain they were only going 15 mph, for going "100 mph".  Eventually he created speed bumps which made several residents angry.  We tried to get him to agree to putting up a 10 mph speed limit sign so that visitors would know what their expectations are, but he would have none of it.  "I want people to come to a stop here" he said.  He claimed that his lawyer told him he has the right to put up the speed bumps, and, in fact, that he could block the road if he wanted to, because it crosses their land.  All the other property owners have the right of way in their deeds, so we don't believe he has the right to block the road.  Our question is, does he have the right to put up any kind of obstruction, including speed bumps?

Well.  If the other property owners have a right-of-way across speed-bump-guy's property, he is not permitted to obstruct the right-of-way with a gate, no matter what his lawyer says.  Unfortunately, the only way that this can be enforced is by going to court.

The commissioner or board chosen under section 3101, with respect to the private road, private way or bridge, has the powers of a road commissioner. 

The road commissioner, under the direction of a majority of the selectmen, shall have charge of the repairs of all highways and bridges within the towns and shall have authority to employ the necessary personnel and equipment and purchase material for the repair of highways and bridges.