SABATTUS – The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved Sabattus Disc Golf’s mass gathering permit for the 2016 Women’s Disc Gold Championship being held Sept. 23-25. 

Owner Peter Ruby is expecting approximately 100 spectators at the free public event.

Police Chief Gary Baillargeon, Fire Chief Marc Veilleux and Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Douglass agreed with the steps taken by Ruby to ensure the safety of attendees.

Baillargeon anticipates his department will put in approximately 36 hours of overtime, at a cost of $1,136.

Sabattus Disc Golf will pay for it, Ruby said.

Sabattus first responder and fire staff will be on hand, in addition to outside EMS volunteers hired by Ruby, Veilleux said.

The board discussed a motion to place weight restrictions on Jordan Bridge Road and Ball Park Road, which have been paved or rehabbed recently. Area trucking companies, St. Laurent and Son Excavation, Glen Dube Excavation, and Pat Cyr Trucking, utilize these roads for their business.

Road Foreman Gary Labonte said an average 18-wheeler weighs approximately 80,000 pounds and it would take about 9,600 cars to equal the damage caused by one 18-wheeler.

“The integrity of our roads needs to be protected,” Labonte said.

Cyr questioned whether the board has the right to place a weight limit on Jordan Bridge Road, considering the state paid for the bridge.

Ward said it’s still considered a town road, according to the Maine Department of Transportation, and selectmen have authority to protect roads no matter the time of year.

Ward agreed to confirm this information with the MDOT.

Selectwoman Michelle Ames said owners of heavy vehicles are required to pay more excise tax each year because of additional wear and tear they cause to the roadways, so the town is receiving these costs already.

The roads were built to town specifications and selectmen can’t post restrictions on every newly repaired road, board Chairman Mark Duquette said.

Selectman JP Curran made a motion to not place weight restrictions on the two roads and it was seconded by Guy Desjardins. The board unanimously approved Curran’s motion and the original motion failed.

The board agreed to allow Labonte to temporarily post any road that could be jeopardized during inclement weather, no matter the time of year, and discussed keeping roads posted longer in the spring.

Ward announced a comprehensive five-year road maintenance plan with the initial phase to include the crack sealing of 15 roads, totaling 6 miles. Included are sections of West Ridge Road, Deerfield Drive, Fawn Avenue, Woodside Drive, Lorelie Drive, Long Beach Road, Hemlock Street, Turtle Drive, Boulder Drive, Spruce Street, Beaver Road to Bolder Drive, Springer Farm Road, Fields Road, Terry Circle and Loon Pond Road.

Pine Tree Engineering Inc., the town’s engineering firm, is completing the request for proposals and contacting local vendors. Ward and Labonte will meet with a local road contractor to identify methods of resurfacing and upkeep beyond traditional asphalt. Ward anticipates having a comprehensive plan by fall and will present it to the board.

Curran praised Labonte and staff on their recent restoration of a section of Rabbit Road.

The board will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Sept. 7, a day after the school budget referendum vote, to determine the town’s tax commitment.

Property on Pinecrest Avenue has been determined by CEO Douglass to be sound, although it appears to be abandoned and filled with empty returnable cans, Ward said. The water has been shut off, but the owner is still paying taxes on the property. Douglass will follow up with the homeowner.

The Regional School Unit 4 budget vote will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the Oak Hill High School gym. The budget will go to a referendum vote Tuesday, Sept. 6, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.