MECHANIC FALLS – The council Monday night modified town policy that limits how long plow crews can be out on the road during snowstorms.

Public Works Director Scott Penney said the policy now calls for 10 hours off after 14 hours on the job or eight off after 12 on the job. He said that’s not effective.

Chances are, Penney pointed out, that the spare plowmen called in once the regulars hit their 12- or 14-hour limits have already put in similar hours at their regular jobs and are just as prone to making the mistakes that exhaustion encourages.

“Most towns don’t have this sort of limit,” said Penney, “I know what I’m like when I’m tired and I can tell when the men are tired.”

Town Manager John Hawley noted that none of the eight area towns contacted have policies that place time limits on plow crews.

Councilor William Diehl noted that the town’s six-year-old policy went into effect some time after the town lost a plow driver in an accident with a train.

The council amended the policy to allow plow drivers to work 16 hours followed by an 8-hour rest period that must be observed unless the drivers are called back due to an emergency. In order to call an emergency, Penney must first consult with Hawley, who can make the ruling based on his capacity as road commissioner.

Following a brief public hearing, the council adopted a dog ordinance that is separate and independent of the town’s prior animal control ordinance. It became effective with the council’s adoption. The Planning Board has been charged with devising an ordinance regulating farm animals.

The council also approved spending up to $1,000 to move and refurbish the informational sign in front of the municipal office building.

In his report, Hawley noted that contrary to earlier speculation, no money has been appropriated for an emergency generator at the Elm Street School. Citing the need for one, Hawley said he would apply for a Homeland Security grant to help fund such a generator. He estimated the total price tag at about $25,000 – a fair portion of which, Hawley said, would be needed to prepare the school’s electrical system to accommodate the on-site emergency generator

Hawley also announced that representatives from both sides of the TABOR issue have agreed to speak and answer questions at an informational meeting scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Elm Street School gymnasium.

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