WATERVILLE -- Here it is November, already, and snow is just around the corner.

It won't be long now until you wake up some morning to find that you can't get your car out of the driveway because the plow has gone by or, worse, that your car isn't where you left it because it has been towed to allow snow removal.

That said, this month's column is going to try to clear up some of the questions, confusion and frustration that snow causes.

First, studded snow tires: Yes, it is OK to have your studded snow tires put on your vehicle now. In fact studded snow tires are legal, generally speaking, from Oct. 1 to May 1. As with any law, there are some exceptions and permits to extend the time, but for most of us these dates are what we need to follow.

Next, snowmobiles: All information regarding snowmobiles can be found on the state Inland Fisheries and Wildlife site (www.maine.gov/ifw). Snowmobiles need to be registered if you'll be operating them off of your own property. Helmets need to be worn by anyone under 18, and no one under 14 may operate a snowmobile across a public way.

Accidents which involve personal injury or death need to be reported to the nearest law-enforcement agencies by the quickest means possible. Lastly, as with all motor vehicles, you must stop for any law-enforcement officer who signals for you to do so, and you cannot operate a snowmobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Next, snow removal: There are two related matters, the first that under state law: "A person may not place and allow to remain on a public way snow or slush that has not accumulated there naturally." This means that you can't throw the snow from the bank the plow made at the end of your driveway back in to the road, and you can't shovel out your driveway and leave a mound of snow on the road for the plow to whisk away.

We all know how frustrating this is, but regardless, plow operators will call the police department and you can be summonsed for this violation if you don't keep your snow to yourself.

Next, winter parking: As a dispatcher, I can't begin to say how many calls I have taken at the police department from people asking about the winter-parking ban, where they can put their car during snow removal, and what has happened to their car if it was left on a city street during snow removal.

If you don't have off-street parking in the city of Waterville, during snow removal, the only place that you can leave your car is at Head Of Falls parking lot, off Front Street. People become very frustrated with this as the only option, but the police department has no other place for parking. If you do leave your car on city property during the winter parking ban, you are subject to a parking ticket, and if your car is on city property during snow removal, you will get the ticket and your car will be towed.

Parking on private property, such as a store or business parking lot, subjects you to having your car towed by the property owner.

Private property is just that, and the police department can't prohibit the parking lot owners from towing your car.

Parking is always a huge burden during the winter. My best suggestion is that you try to find out now where you can leave your car. See if a friend or relative has space available, check with a business owner to see if they will allow you to park on their property or do whatever you can think of before the inevitable happens: a parking ticket, a wrecker fee and the inconvenience of not planning ahead.

Please watch for snowmobiles crossing public roads and kids sledding close to the street, stay warm and Happy Thanksgiving.

Jaye Fleming Lowe is a dispatcher for the Waterville Police Department.

outoftheblue@waterville-me.gov