SANFORD — A subcommittee of the city council will take another look at proposed requirements of an ordinance to address when police officers will be required to guide traffic at road closures ”“ typically road construction sites ”“ after the head of a local utility said the fee structure would triple his costs.

Sanford Water District Superintendent David Parent said the cost to his agency would be $71 per hour for one police officer and a cruiser. He said the quasi-municipal agency pays $20 per hour now for a state-certified flagger to help guide traffic through road construction sites, and sometimes uses their own employees who are state certified. And, he said, police officers are used at times. Parent said with the construction projects scheduled for this summer, the proposal would cost the utility an additional $35,000 for which it hasn’t budgeted.

“Please don’t do this to the water district,” he said, suggesting the city exempt quasi-municipal utilities like the water and sewerage district.

Parent said he was also speaking for Sanford Sewerage District Superintendent Michael Hanson, who couldn’t be at the meeting. He said there are “reams” of state and federal regulations that speak to construction requirements and the use of certified flaggers.

“For you to pass an ordinance that triples our costs is a bit unreasonable.” Parent said.

The ordinance is being proposed because, right now, there isn’t one that specifically dictates when a police officer is required at construction projects. As well, said Police Chief Thomas Connolly, it came up as a result of contract negotiations with the Maine Association of Police, which represents Sanford police officers.

Among the ordinance provisions are that a police officer would be required at all intersections where there are traffic signals and on specific main thoroughfares unless two-way traffic can be allowed in both directions at the same time. No officer would be required in instances where traffic can be detoured. Construction jobs that require less than an hour would not require police details.

Costs are spelled out at $50 per hour for an officer, $15 for the cruiser and a $6 administration fee. Police officers would be hired for the traffic details in four-hour blocks.

Connolly said in drafting the proposal, he tried to make it reasonable and provide some alternatives to hiring police officers.

City Manager Steve Buck said since Tuesday’s introduction of the plan was a first reading, there are opportunities for amendments. As well, he pointed out the proposal also provides that decisions be made in advance, at preconstruction conferences, with efforts made to reduce the need for police traffic details.

Councilor Richard Wilkins, a former longtime Sanford Public Works director, said the utilities and local contractors have worked well with the city over the years.

“Right now, it would be a big cost” to the entities, Wilkins said.

“I don’t think you throw this (draft) out, but tweak it,” suggested Councilor Alan Walsh.

The proposal was recommended by the public safety subcommittee of the council. Its chairman, Joe Hanslip, said they’ll take another look.

“The draft is a step in the right direction. I think we need something,” he said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.