NORWAY — The Board of Selectmen has agreed to extend the hours of “toll road” fundraising drives from two to four hours.

Acting on a request from Orchard Street resident and Rotarian Robert Schott, the board agreed to longer hours. Schott told the board it takes an hour before and after the actual fundraising to set up and disband the toll roads, leaving too little time for the actual fundraising.

Toll roads are set up by the Fire Department and other organizations to raise money for events such as Project Graduation. They are held generally several times a year on the Fair Street section of Route 26 by the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

Most area towns have banned the practice, but Town Manager David Holt said as long as the town maintains public safety, he would have no issue with recommending that selectmen extend the hours.

Highway Superintendent and Fire Department member Ron Springer said the Fire Department generally only raises money on toll roads for about three hours but had no problem with the extension to four hours.

Springer and Schott agreed that many people who travel the roads more than once during a fundraising event will give donations multiple times and that out-of-state motorists are probably most generous, sometimes leaving as much as a $20 bill.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link