More than a week after it was blocked off by the landowner, town officials are still working with the Lodge of Masons to get the Hix Bridge Landing exit back open — “No specific date but hoping to finalize as soon as possible,” town administrator James Hartnett wrote to the Shorelines Monday morning.

A portion of the exit, which was first closed briefly last fall and then again starting about a week ago, lies on land owned by the Noquochoke Hall Association and its Noquochoke Masonic Lodge. Town officials said it was blocked off due to liability concerns over the public passing over private land to exit, and select board chairwoman Shana Teas said she understands the Masons’ point of view:

 “I think they’re totally willing to let the town keep using it; they just want to be careful," she said. "They've been very cooperative."

As of Tuesday, the parties were still reviewing a licensing agreement that if signed would allow the public to use the exit while protecting the Masons’ rights.

Melrose attorney David R. Lucas, who serves as general counsel for the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, confirmed that lodge members discussed the issue Monday evening.

“We are in negotiations with the town to put together an agreement that allows the public to use this road,” he said Friday.

In the meantime, internally lit signs adjacent to the landing warn drivers passing by on Hix Bridge that cars are exiting via the entrance.