HERMON – Councilors voted Thursday night to refund about $500 to the town’s snowplow contractor after fining him that amount last year for poor performance.

The motion to refund the money to Louis “Buzzy” LaChance passed by a narrow 4-3 vote. Councilors Ralph Carr, Donald Shepley, Tim McCluskey and Anthony Reynolds voted in favor of the payment, while Alden Brown, Sharon Nickerson and Larry Davis were opposed.

LaChance was not present at the meeting, but Town Manager Clint Deschene said he came to the town office asking for the issue to be placed on Thursday night’s agenda.

Before voting, Carr inquired about LaChance’s plowing performance this year. Town Manager Clint Deschene responded that overall it was much better than last year.

“I think the fine served its purpose, it worked and it worked well,” Carr said. “I don’t like to take money out of people’s pockets.”

The Town Council voted in April 2007 to withhold $501.54 from LaChance’s final paycheck for the fiscal year. The council based its decision on testimony from residents and Deschene, who said some town roads remained unplowed 24 hours after one storm, and at least one driveway was torn up by a plow causing about $2,000 in damage.

LaChance has held the snowplowing contract since 1996. It was renewed in 2003 and expires May 18.

Brown and Davis said they didn’t agree with rebating money for an issue that occurred last year. Despite the better performance this year, the fine was for last year, they said.

“I voted not to fine Buzzy at the time, but the council voted to,” Davis said. “But this is a whole new year. Why are we considering this?”

Also at the meeting:

. Councilors awarded the cemetery maintenance contract to Bangor Abatement for about $46,350 for three years. The contract allows for a two-year extension for an additional $33,250.

. Councilors unanimously approved $4,000 in engineering fees to reconstruct the Fuller Road and level a dangerous knoll. Residents are expected to vote on the construction project’s funding at the June town meeting.

. Councilors tabled a discussion until Feb. 21 on a construction project that would connect North Street and Vafiades Avenue. The council is expected to set a special town meeting date for March 6 to approve engineering costs for the project before moving forward.

. The council gave $300 to Hermon High School’s Class of 2008 Project Graduation. The graduating seniors need to raise about $2,000 to spend graduation night at University of Maine’s Student Recreation and Fitness Center.

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