BUCKFIELD – After a public hearing Tuesday night, selectmen agreed to post East Buckfield, Bear Pond, Paris Hill and North Hill roads to heavy trucking.

Diana Dunn, resident of North Hill, thanked selectmen for putting the issue on the agenda. “This is not a personal pet peeve with me, but I am concerned that heavy truck traffic will damage our roads and increase cost to taxpayers.”

The year round ban is for trucks with more than two axles that travel through the area on those roads. Exempt from the ban are emergency vehicles, moving vans, school buses and delivery trucks. Fines are $50 for a first offense and $100 for a second.

After lengthy discussion, it was voted to maintain the new sidewalks in the village. The town had nixed buying equipment for clearing sidewalks at the annual town meeting in June. Town Manager Glen Holmes said clearing High Street walks was too dangerous because freezing would made them too slippery.

Dick Piper said, “The town approved money for economic development and yet you would not clear sidewalks so people from all over the country who come to performances at the Odd Fellows Theater would have to walk in the streets.”

Fred Cooper said, “For years we’ve made it through without clearing sidewalks.”

Piper was concerned about elderly people from the retirement home coming to the village for the barbershop, bank or Hart’s Pizza.

Cooper said, “You get to know your neighbors and know their needs and offer rides. That’s what the community of Buckfield is all about.”

In other business, Holmes asked selectmen for budget guidance and was told to bring as close to a flat line as he could. Selectman Chip Richardson said with prices going up he would like to see no more than a 3 percent increase.

Holmes said Buckfield roads are some of the best in the county, but if major work such as culverts, a bridge replacement and some paving was not done this year, the roads will suffer.

Selectmen signed a warrant for a special election for regional school board members. Jerry Wiley and Maida Demers Dobson seek election. Balloting will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 15.