DEAR SUN SPOTS: The West Auburn Congregational Church at 811 West Auburn Road in Auburn will hold a Harvest Supper on May 18 from 4:30-6 p.m. The menu includes turkey, ham, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, corn, peas, rolls, beverages and desserts. The dinner is free for children under age 3, $5 for age 12 and younger, and $10 for adults. — Jenny, no town

ANSWER: The menu sounds delicious. See you there!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I live on a cul-de-sac and the snow from two streets is being piled onto my front lawn. A neighbor hires a man to plow his driveway and this plow driver drags the snow out onto the road, turns right, and plows it onto my lawn.

After the most recent snowstorm, he plowed the snow from the left side of the street onto my lawn. I went out and told him not to do this but he just said he was helping to plow the street.

I called public works to see if they hire people to help plow streets. They said they had plenty of equipment to handle the roads and that him doing this is against the state law.

Could you find the state law stating that people cannot plow snow from driveways and the road onto a neighbor’s land? I would like you to print out the law with an explanation of it. How can I stop private plow drivers from doing this? Thank you so much for your help. — No name, no town

ANSWER: A letter like this one came to Sun Spots a couple of years ago and I can’t help but wonder if this is the same neighborhood/town. What the plow person did is against the law and his response when you confronted him is unacceptable. Have you spoken with your neighbor or written them a letter? The neighbor should be dealing with this guy and making it right, not you.

State law under 29-A § 2396 (https://www.maine.gov/mdot/mlrc/docs/technical/2023/snowinroadflyer.pdf)  states: “It is illegal to plow snow, ice, or slush onto or across a road because it can present a serious traffic safety hazard to drivers and to town plow operators. It is considered a traffic infraction and the penalty under State Law is up to $500, suspension of a license, or both.”

So that snow the contractor plowed onto your yard belongs only on the neighbor’s property, not yours. And he is not supposed to be using a public way for moving the snow, nor should he be leaving any snow on the street. Furthermore, not only is he breaking the law above but he is also trespassing.

If this behavior should happen again next winter, report it to your municipal office again. You can also report it to law enforcement.

I do hope you can have a conversation with your neighbor though and resolve the issue. They and the contractor should know better.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Reader requests GoFundMe page for Peggy Pooler

Next »

Androscoggin River Watershed Council seeking volunteers for river, stream monitoring