Residents push Sabattus officials to lower plow threshold for level‑4 roads as staffing, budget and MS4 rules are debated

Residents at a Sabattus town workshop urged officials to lower the level‑4 winter‑road plowing threshold so people who live on gravel or lower‑priority roads can get out during storms.

“Why shouldn’t I get the same service?” a resident asked, saying taxpayers who live on level‑4 roads pay the same taxes as those on higher‑priority roads and deserve comparable access. Speakers recounted prior complaints — including from Mr. Dayton — that berms left after plowing can block driveways and prevent residents from getting to work or medical shifts.

Workshop participants and several attendees discussed a proposed change to the policy: lowering the trigger for plowing level‑4 roads from the current 5–8 inches to a 3–5 inch threshold. Participants asked town staff to provide operational input before any formal vote; several said they wanted Public Works staff (Tim) to clarify whether the department can meet the proposed standard with current staffing and equipment.

Officials acknowledged a staffing shortfall. Town participants said the department is “down a plow person” and that recent job postings drew limited responses. The group discussed expanding recruitment channels, adding a dedicated employment or careers page to the town website and reposting the opening more frequently to attract more applicants.

Attendees also asked about operational accounting for winter materials. One participant asked whether the town is tracking sand and salt usage by storm for budgeting and historical records; the group said the town distributed about four yards of sand over a recent weekend but comprehensive usage tracking was not clearly reported during the workshop.

Several speakers linked the road‑service levels to the town’s MS4 stormwater reporting obligations and asked whether consultants (named in discussion as Stillwater Environmental Engineering) had been involved in setting the thresholds. A participant noted that only the village portion of the town falls under MS4 runoff requirements, and that compliance reporting is typically quarterly.

The workshop produced discussion and requests for follow‑up but no formal motions or votes were recorded during the session. Organizers reminded attendees to sign in and noted the formal meeting would consider any policy vote later.