Welcome to our County

It has been brought to our attention that some folks are plowing snow across the roadway. The following is part of the statue that covers this issue. Please do not plow snow across any roadway in the UT or any town/plantation.

**Snow Notice**

Pursuant to Maine State Law under 29-A § 2396: “A person may not place and allow to remain on a public way snow or slush that has not accumulated there naturally.” A “public way” is defined as the entire right of way width of a state, county, or municipal roadway over which the general public has a right to pass. It is illegal to plow snow, ice, or slush onto or across a road because it can present a serious traffic safety hazard to drivers and to the plow operators.

It is considered a traffic infraction and the penalty under State Law is up to $500, suspension of a license, or both.

Under Maine’s criminal code, this act is considered an obstruction of a public way and is a public nuisance and can be prosecuted as a civil action in Maine Superior Court.

Some Maine towns/cities give verbal warnings first while others issue written violation notices with penalties. Because this “unnatural” snow or ice freezes differently in the road or along the snowbank, it has caused vehicle damage and plow or wing damage in some towns. And in a snowy winter season when snowbanks narrow up the road width, these added frozen piles can cause drivers to swerve around them and endanger oncoming vehicles.

Thank you for your assistance in trying to keep roads safe and maintained.