KINGFIELD — Complaints of speeding drivers have prompted town officials to ask the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for help.

Residents and selectmen shared their concerns with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at Tuesday night’s selectmen meeting.

During certain times of the day, especially between 3 and 5 p.m. when employees leave work, streets aren’t safe for residents or pedestrians, according to several speakers.

Selectmen asked Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. to address the issue.

Nichols said Tuesday that he would help with speeding issues on side streets, but he also needed members of the public to call his office. Cases have been solved and problems resolved with a simple phone call, he said.

“If people are aware of some nefarious activities going on, give us a call,” he said.  Callers can remain anonymous, he said, and someone at his office will gather information and have an officer contact the caller to determine what action should be taken.

Nichols also said his employees work a lot of hours and he can’t require them to work overtime. Last year, he was short three officers, so the others used most of the overtime money. 

Resident Merv Wilson said he lives on Salem Road, near the Kingfield Elementary School, and he was frustrated with the speeding he sees daily on Route 142.

Others expressed exasperation with the vehicles speeding on Maple Street and other side streets.

Administrative Assistant Leanna Targett said she will document residents’ complaints.

Nichols said when state troopers cover the roads, they have fewer people to answer calls, but every call is important, he said. Picking up the phone is the critical step.

“We do a lot of our drug work with the help of the public,” he said.

In other matters, resident Larry Warren updated selectmen on the process to acquire easements and land to put a bridge across the Carrabassett River and connect to the proposed historic Benedict Arnold Trail.

Several years ago, he started working with Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments and the Arnold Expedition Historical Society to develop a trail from Kingfield to Coburn Gore. He suggested that a non-motorized scenic trail could cross from Coburn Gore to Mont-Megantic National Park in Canada and also link to a New Hampshire trail.

The Kingfield-to-Stratton route will be referred to as the Narrow Gauge Trail. The section from Stratton to Canada will be the Benedict Arnold Trail portion.

Selectmen appointed Peter Manning to fill the Regional School Unit 58 seat that will be vacated in August by Paul Orbeton. They also appointed Robin Konietzko to the Village Enhancement Committee. Selectmen also OK’d a plan for paving and other road improvements, as approved by voters at the June town meeting.

We’re already three years behind,” Selectman John Dill said. “We don’t need to go four.”