Snowplowing problems persist in Orneville, commissioners say

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — With spring only nine days away — on the calendar, at least — snowplowing was still on the minds of the Piscataquis County commissioners last week.
    Armed with a series of photos of McCorrison Road in Orneville after a recent snowfall, Chairman Fred Trask said that since 70 percent of the $81,658 unorganized territories’ warrant last week was for plowing, he had some major concerns about it.

    “The contract is poorly written, but it says that after two inches of snowfall they have to start plowing,” Trask said. “So my question is: after a six-inch storm, how many times do they have to plow?” Trask also questioned whether some roads are completely sanded or “just the hills and corners?”
    Interim County Manager Tom Lizotte said that during the next round of plowing contract negotiations, he and the commissioners can “tighten up” some of the provisions and deal with any ambiguous language.
    Trask suggested that they have a meeting with all the contractors “and tell them: ‘This is the way it is.’ We should also discuss the way they’re plowing … I don’t know whether the schedule has been on the honor system or not.”
    At the conclusion of the discussion, commissioners agreed to have a work session with all plowing contractors after the winter season is over to discuss the situation.
    Contacted after the meeting, Trask said that the Orneville area is plowed by William London, but he said his criticism wasn’t meant to be directed to London. “That is why I asked how many times a contractor is required to plow in a six-inch snow storm,” Trask told the Observer, “and if gravel roads that have been plowed have to be sanded. The county manager and the other commissioners could not answer the questions. We are going to get ourselves organized and then meet with all contractors. “
    Trask added that his frustrations often show up at meetings because the other two commissioners often just “take my verbal beating and move on.”
    In other action taken at last week’s meeting, commissioners approved a new liquor license for the West Cove Lounge in Moosehead Junction Township. The tavern was sold by Doug Whitney to Patrick Bryan of Saco, doing businesses as Vic-Sam Holdings LLC.
    Commissioners also heard from the new Piscataquis County Economic Development Council Executive Director Christopher Winstead, who said that he is definitely “at home” in Piscataquis County.
While working as the field office rep for former Congressman Mike Michaud, Winstead — an avid hiker and cross-country skier — said he spent “all of my spare time up here.”
    He also said that he was familiar with PCEDC during his tenure with the congressional office and also had a background in banking. “I also have an open door policy,” he said. “So if you have folks who want to talk about opportunities or who have ideas, come on over.”
    He quipped that although he worked for a Democratic congressman, “After all my years in the banking world, I learned to be a fiscal conservative.”
    PCEDC’s next quarterly meeting will be on Monday, March 16 at Pat’s Pizza in Milo. Michaud also plans to attend, Winstead said.