TURNER — Selectmen on Monday unanimously voted to post a “no through trucks” sign for northbound traffic on Main Street in response to residents’ complaints about a steady stream of tractor-trailers using the street to avoid a traffic light on Route 4.

John Davis of 153 Main St. approached the board in October with his concerns about tractor-trailers that “downshift and use their jake brakes,” causing noise and traffic hazards. He said he was frustrated when selectmen voted to do nothing about the problem at a meeting Dec. 5.

On Monday night Davis, Roma Olberding and Kenji Delige offered a united front and asked selectmen for help.

Delige, of 13 Main St., said he saw the traffic study done before the Hannaford supermarket was built, and it was conducted on a Saturday. Delige questioned the accuracy of a Saturday study and suggested the result would have been different on a weekday. He said traffic on Route 4 is sometimes backed up all the way to his house, near DFD Russell Medical Center.

The board also voted unanimously to pay the Maine Department of Labor a $560 fine for problems found at the Rescue Barn, Fire Department and Transfer Station. The department reduced the penalty from $5,600.

Town Manager Kurt Schaub said the town could appeal, but if the appeal was lost the town would owe $5,600. 

Schaub also told selectmen he informed attorney Peter Brand of the board’s decision Dec. 5 to pull out of the lawsuit against Androscoggin County commissioners.

The Town Office will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, and will reopen Tuesday, Dec. 27.

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