MINOT – The highway department crew was praised by selectmen Monday night for its performance in last weekend’s snowstorm.

“They did a super job; kept the roads open even on the tops of hills,” said Selectman Eda Tripp.

Tripp, who reported seeing drifts 5 and 6 feet high, expressed amazement that Pottle and Center Minot Hill roads were kept open throughout. She noted some neighboring towns had to close some roads at the height of the storm.

Winds blew the near 20 inches of snow that fell during the two-day storm into drifts.

With the praise came a cautionary note that perhaps some of the plowmen were pushing themselves too hard.

Selectman Steve French noted that Arlan Saunders and his crew were at it for 36 to 40 hours with little rest.

French expressed concern for the drivers’ safety as well as possible town liability in case of accidents.

“I appreciate the dedication. I certainly don’t begrudge their overtime; but, all we have to have is one bad accident,” said French.

French suggested that Saunders and his crew would be of great help coming up with some guidelines for dealing with extraordinary circumstances such as were presented by the storm.

Harold Bridgham gave selectmen an overview of efforts being made by residents he is working with to bring the full school redevelopment project before March town meeting voters.

Bridgham said that while the School Committee is pursuing state funding for a modular classroom/library addition to the Minot Consolidated School, many townspeople support a major expansion to the gym/multipurpose room. It would include a stage, music and art rooms and a full-sized gymnasium.

Bridgham invited Selectman Dean Campbell to attend the group’s meetings as a liaison with town officials.

Reporting as fire chief, French commended fire and rescue personnel’s efforts at last week’s accident off Bucknam Bridge Road. He noted that the town’s Hurst tool, commonly known as jaws of life, was an older generation and there were problems cutting away the top of the car. He said the experience suggested the town perhaps should look into obtaining a newer version of the extraction tool.

Campbell, commended as the person who actually cut the top off the car, noted that it took several minutes longer than it would have and that, had conditions been more severe, the delay could have meant a life.

Town Clerk Nikki Verrill announced that nomination papers for March elections will be available Thursday, Dec. 11, and would be due back at the town office by Jan. 20 to get onto the town meeting ballot. There are two openings on the Board of Selectmen and two on the School Committee to be filled by the election.

Tripp announced that letters are being sent out to school officials and all town department heads noting that the deadline for submission of articles for the town meeting warrant is Jan. 16. This deadline also applies to any residents seeking to place issues before the town meeting.

Selectmen also announced they have hired Gregory Gill as the town administrator. Gill’s official first day of work will be Feb. 2.

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