DUMMERSTON — Windham County Sheriff's Department Corporal Dana Shepard has reported to the Selectboard that the town is entitled to $9,941.60 as its share of violation fines in the last six months - and that amount is expected to increase.
Shepard told the board at its Dec. 26 meeting that the department has “way surpassed” the expectations of Captain Robert Lakin.
“We still have two to three months of winter traffic,” he said. “We're doing very well.”
Mark Anderson, of the sheriff's office, estimates that the town receives roughly 60 percent of the fines collected.
After Shepard welcomed suggestions from the board, Selectboard Chair Lewis White questioned the department's focus.
“A lot of your time is spent on Route 30, Middle Road, School House Road, East-West Road, and Route 5,” White observed.
White, concerned about “not enough visibility of the sheriff being on the [back] roads,” suggested that deputies spend more time on dirt roads.
In response, Shepard explained that there is not always room on back roads for the officers to park their vehicles safely, and that law enforcement officers often rely on civilians who allow the officers to park in their driveways.