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Plowing streets can be challenging, even in small towns

Dedicated workers hit the streets of Maine during snowstorms to keep them safe

MONMOUTH, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - In cities and town throughout Maine, there are dedicated workers who hit the streets every time it snows to make things safer for people who have to get around.

But the job of a plow driver does not come without its challenges.

Monmouth Public Works Director Bruce Balfour has been plowing this town’s roads for 22-years. He says it’s a much more difficult job during the day, than it is at night.

Balfour heads up a five man plow crew that cleans and maintains 65-miles of roadway in this small community Northeast of Lewiston – Auburn. The job is especially challenging downtown where you find people walking on the side of the road, cleaning their vehicles off or just parked at odd angles.

“Downtown area here is pretty busy during the day with the post office and the general store. A lot of traffic parked on the street, so vehicles we have to go around a lot and be wary of the wing on the side of the truck”, he said.

His message to people, give the plow truck room to do the job.

“Don’t crowd the plow. With trying to do intersections and stuff we have to do a lot of backing up and if you get a car right behind you, can’t see them, you got to wait until they get out-of-the-way. I know it’s a challenge for them too because they’re trying to get to where they’re going”, he said.

Out on the back roads there are different kinds of challenges.

“They are narrow, a lot of rocks and stumps, things of that nature on the side. It’s not as well-maintained as a paved road, so that present some challenges too”, he said.

When the snow begins to fly, the stage is set for a long day. This morning Bruce’s phone rang at 2:30. He expects to be out on the road until around 10 O'clock tonight.

“Couple of weeks ago we did 20 hours straight and then you go home catch a couple, three hours sleep, then you get to come back and do more clean up afterwards”, he said.

When living in Maine, snowstorms come with the territory. Bruce says he and his crew are always ready to answer the call because their goal is a simple, but important one.

“Keep people safe. We want bare roads and clean sidewalks”, Balfour said.

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