West Paris Selectmen ban guns at work

WEST PARIS - The selectmen banned employees from bringing guns to work and clarified the role of employees in emergencies.

The policy states:

"Employees may not, at any time while on any property owned, leased or controlled by the town, possess or use any weapon. Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, knives with a blade longer than four inches, any explosive material, or any other object or chemical that could be used to harass, intimidate or injure another individual.

"This policy applies to all employees of the town, regardless of whether or not they are licensed to carry a concealed weapon. This policy does not apple to law enforcement officers or other persons who haver been given written permission by the town manager."

White also pointed out that since the Oxford County Sheriff's Department is responsible for the town's law enforcement needs, there is no reason for any town employee to be armed when at work.

John White, the town manager, said the personnel policy was being routinely reviewed, and the insertion of the weapons ban is currently a common practice in policy revisions. He stressed that the review is routine.

"We try to do it every couple of years, because there are almost always little changes," White said.

The decision to insert a weapons ban was not based on any specific incident or incidents involving employee weapons, White said. He added that keeping a hunting rifle or shotgun in a parked car while an employee was at work would violate the ban.

"We don't think our employees should be distracted when they are working," said the town manager.

The selectmen also clarified the correct course of action to be taken when employees are involved in emergency service units, such as the fire department or a rescue squad, and are called upon while on duty with the town. The theoretical case of a public works crew member, who was also a firefighter, might be sanding or plowing snow when called to a fire. In both capacities the work to be done is vital to public safety.

In such cases, the board decided, the employee's supervisor should decide. But, if allowed to leave work to aid in the emergency, the worker would be unpaid by the regular department.