Mayor: Be careful to secure loads

Contractors in Havre have been installing new roofs on homes damaged by last summer’s hailstorm

Mayor Tim Solomon wants to remind them that when they haul the old shingles to the landfill, they have to have covers over the back of their trucks.

The discussion started when City Councilwoman Terry Lilletvedt said at the last City Council meeting that Terry Turner, executive director of the Hill County Mosquito District, wanted to praise city workers and volunteers who on Havre Pride clean-up day had done such a good job picking up the trash on the sides of the roads throughout the city.

But, he said, the roads soon looked trashy again because so many shingles had blown off trucks and were strewn all over the streets, especially on the roads leading to the landfill.

Solomon said that trucks are supposed to be covered to prevent trash from flying off.

Police Chief Gabe Matosich said trucks are supposed to be secured so trash doesn't blow away, and he’s heard complaints from people who say not all trucks are covered.

He said police would start ticketing trucks, issuing drivers tickets on littering charges and other charges would follow.

The chief said he is not only worried about the trash, but many of the shingles have nails in them.

“I‘m afraid we are going to see more flat tires,” he said.