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Town of Duane cracks down on cellphone use by highway workers

DUANE — Town Highway Department workers are being asked to put down their cellphones and pick up their vehicles’ radios — or risk losing their jobs.

“It is a liability,” said town board member Laura Paquin.

Board members on Wednesday passed a new no cellphone policy by a unanimous decision. Under the policy, workers will be able to have their cellphones on them but cannot use them while they are working.

“They can only use them for an emergency or for their break or lunch,” said Paquin.

Board members say if someone is caught driving and talking on their cellphones, they will face disciplinary action that will include write-ups. After three occurrences, they will be terminated.

Driving while using any hand-held electronic device in New York state is illegal.

“If you had an employee driving a plow truck and he is on his cellphone and hits another car head on, there is a lot of liability,” said Paquin.

Paquin said if a family member has an emergency, they should call 911 and not the highway worker. Board members say they adopted the policy because it is the law and they say driving while talking on your cellphone is dangerous.

“You cannot be on the phone with your wife or girlfriend, ordering groceries or playing games when you are working,” said Paquin.

Not all highway workers are in agreement with the new policy.

“I think it is a little harsh,” said Superintendent of Highways Edward J. “Ned” LeMieux Jr.

Instead of picking up the cellphone workers will now have to use their car radios. Board members said all of the town trucks have radios; it is actually a better way of communication because the cell reception in Duane is sometimes spotty.

“We want you to have the cellphone and use it only if there is a real emergency,” said Paquin.

Board members said there will be no exceptions for anyone — if you are caught three times, it is an automatic termination. The new policy takes effect immediately and already some admit it might be a tough policy to get used to.

“There is a lot going on,” said LeMieux. “I have only been caught once, and I have done it 50 times. I have two more times to get caught yet.”

Current Highway Department workers and new hires will also have to sign an acknowledgement agreeing that they have read the new cellphone policy and agree with it.

“They cannot be out talking on the phone, it is just not safe,” said Paquin.

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