Flat Rock Bridge Rd. "No Parking' signs to stay put

LEBANON - A Rochester angler’s crusade to have “No Parking” signs removed from Flat Rock Bridge Road so he could park on the road while fishing in the nearby Salmon Falls River floundered last week as selectmen decided the signs were erected with the blessing of a former board and Maine State Police noted sight lines along the curvy road precluded safe parking on the road’s shoulders.

The decision is a win for John and Mary Hastings, owners of Flat Rock Bridge Family Camping Resort, and a loss for Rochester fisherman Tom Clements, who began his quest almost a year ago to have the signs on at least one side of the road removed.

 Maine State Police Sgt. Shapiro, who attended last week’s site visit, cited Maine law as not allowing parking on an “S” curve onto a bridge like the one on Flat Rock Bridge road. Moreover, the signage had been OK’d by a previous Lebanon board. In the end, Lebanon selectmen decided that the signs would stay.

However, selectmen did take exception to one sign that said any cars towed could be picked up at a Rochester towing company and are moving toward a resolution that would include its removal.