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By BETTY ADAMS
Staff Writer 01/02/2008

OK. Enough already with the 1945 lyrics by Sammy Cahn.

Here are some for 2008:

"Let It Stop. Let It Melt. Let Us Rest."

That's the refrain for the plow truck drivers, the snow blowers and the snow shovelers and many who want to catch a breather between storms.

Monday's storm left 9 inches of fresh powder on the snowbanks, and forecasters predicted that much again before Tuesday's storm would be finished.

The snow arrived on schedule Tuesday afternoon, with blue skies clouding over and snow falling in earnest about 2 p.m. The winter weather warning by the National Weather Service in Gray was to remain in effect until 11 a.m. today.

Heavier snows were predicted in northern and eastern Maine.

In Readfield, Matt Dunn said he was preparing to work all night plowing the town parking lots.

"I'm probably working straight through," he said.

He noted that schoolchildren had a scheduled day off today.

According to the school calendar, a Professional Development Day is set for teachers in the Maranacook area schools MSAD 42.

And in Mount Vernon, Dunn's uncle Lee Dunn, who plows the roads there, said he would be taking it one hour at a time.

"We have to look out for the general public which is going to have to get to work," he said.

Lee Dunn, who was preparing to lay down a mixture of salt and sand, said the lull between the storms allowed the plow truck drivers to get a break and rest up.

"It's one of those jobs where you've got to love the snow," he said. "When we're not plowing, we're playing in it."

Dunn is a member of Mount Vernon's Minnehonk Ridge Riders snowmobile club.

In the northern end of Kennebec County, Maine State Police Sgt. Aaron Hayden said he's seen more snow this early while patrolling years ago in the Jackman area, but he said we've had "a significant amount of early season snowfall."

Greg Dore, road commissioner with the Skowhegan Highway Department, said crews would be out just before supper on Tuesday, and then probably again about 3 a.m. today.

He said crews can allow the lighter snow to build up a little to help minimize overtime and fuel costs.

"If we can skip a plowing, it saves about $3,000," he said.

Motorists in Augusta won't be able to park on city streets until 10 a.m. Augusta police imposed a parking ban beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday to allow crews to remove snow.

Augusta Police Lt. Kevin Lully said Tuesday afternoon police were handling a few accident calls, mostly fender-benders. He said that traffic was relatively light.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

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