[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Madison 2-18-1987;
printed as last amended 5-12-1997.[1] Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: An interim amendment to this policy was adopted 8-27-1991.
This document outlines the duties of the Road Commissioner and the Selectmen's
responsibilities and authority for maintaining public ways.
The Road Commissioner will be in charge of the repair of all highways
and bridges within the Town under the direction of a majority of the Selectmen
(23 M.R.S.A. § 2701).
The Road Commissioner will give bond to the satisfaction of the Selectmen
and be responsible to them for the expenditure of money and discharge of his
duties generally.
The Road Commissioner under the direction of a majority of the Selectmen,
has the authority to employ the necessary personnel and equipment and purchase
material for the repair of highways and bridges.
The Road Commissioner must plan ahead and discuss all repair, maintenance
and other projects with the Selectmen. He must develop a work schedule detailing
the work to be done, a cost estimate for the work, and the location of the
work projects. This schedule will be adhered to except in emergency situations
such as snowstorms or other unpredictable occurrences.
In case of sudden injury to ways or bridges, the Road Commissioner must,
without delay, repair them. In these emergency cases, prior approval from
the Selectmen is not required. However, the Road Commissioner must file a
detailed report the next business day after the emergency repair is completed.
For this purpose, and emergency is defined as any incident which could immediately
endanger life and/or property (23 M.R.S.A. § 3201).
The Road Commissioner will inspect Town ways in Madison each year and
report to the Selectmen the status of the Town ways and needed repairs.
All projects, including but not limited to winter sand, tarring, road
repairs and construction, will be done only after the Road Commissioner submits
a detailed budget of the project to the Selectmen. The Selectmen will approve
or disapprove all projects.
When any ways are blocked or encumbered with snow, the Road Commissioner
will remove the snow in a manner directed by the Selectmen (23 M.R.S.A. § 3201).
The Road Commissioner will also direct removal of brush and loose obstructions
from Town ways that impede travel.
The Road Commissioner will be responsible to the Selectmen for the expenditure
of money.
The Road Commissioner will settle his account in detail annually on
or before the 30th of June. This will be contained in the annual report (23
M.R.S.A. § 2703). The Road Commissioner will participate in the
budget process for determining appropriations for the coming year.
The Road Commissioner will maintain a complete and detailed maintenance
log on all Town vehicles and equipment. These logs will be submitted to the
Selectmen for monthly review.
The Road Commissioner and all employees of his Department, both full-
and part-time, will maintain and sign weekly time cards for all hours worked
for the Town. The Road Commissioner and employees shall work only those hours
necessary to maintain Town ways and equipment as required by these guidelines.
The Road Commissioner will document and approve all bills and specify
to what project or equipment accounts these bills are charged.
When the amount appropriated for road repairs is not sufficient, the
Road Commissioner may, with the written consent of the Selectmen, employ Townspeople
to perform the necessary work to an amount not exceeding 15% of the amount
so appropriated (23 M.R.S.A. § 2705).
Only Town-owned vehicles and equipment will be stored or serviced in
the Town Garage unless otherwise approved by the Selectmen.
The use of Town vehicles or equipment on statutory private ways (public
easement) is prohibited, unless the use is approved in advance by the Selectmen.
The use of Town equipment for private purposes is prohibited.
If a majority of the Selectmen determines that a condition exists which
creates a hazard and renders a way unsafe for motor vehicle traffic, they
will give the Road Commissioner written notice of the condition and order
to remedy the situation within 24 hours. If the Road Commissioner fails to
act as directed, a majority of the Selectmen may take any steps necessary
to eliminate the safety hazard.
The Road Commissioner will follow all Town ordinances and policies as
they relate to the operation of the Highway Department.
