Selectmen approve snowmobile trail request

PARIS — A request to move a snowmobile trail on town land was approved by selectmen during their September 24 meeting.

The approval is pending the St. Lawrence and Atlantic railroad company agreeing to a snowmobile trail crossing its tracks and a review of the new trail by the town's road foreman.

Lynn Parsons, trail master for the South Paris Snowhoppers Snowmobile Club, told the board he wanted to ask their permission to alter the trail before requesting a crossing from the  railroad company.

"I just want to clarify I can continue going ahead doing what I'm doing," he told the board.

Vice Chair Bob Kirchherr told Parsons he had no issue with the plan as long as it kept snowmobilers out of the town gravel pit.

Kirchherr wanted to exercise caution after learning about mine safety regulations pertaining to the gravel pit from a representative of the federal Mine Health and Safety Administration in April.

"It's pretty clear from what the safety inspector said that we're going to have to tighten up the security at the pit itself and the road that leads into it," Kirchherr said.

Kirchherr did not anticipate any problems, but requested Road Foreman Dan Nowell review the trail alternation with Parsons to make sure it was fully out of the gravel pit.

In other news, the board:

• Approved a $17,500 bid from J. Palmer and Sons Plumbing and Heating for a new heating system for the town garage.

• Approved the purchase of a new squad car for the Paris PD for $28,360.

• Approved the special amusement ordinance. Residents will vote on the ordinance at a future town meeting.

• Tabled an application by Safe Voices to put up signs and lights on the town gazebo during October in order to find out more about the proposal.

• Appointed Margery Ripley to the NPC-TV Committee.

• Moved the next meeting from October 8 to 9 because of the Columbus Day holiday.