Town Vehicle Policy
TOWN VEHICLE POLICY
TOWN OF FREMONT NH
I: PURPOSE
To generally describe the proper use of Town owned vehicles and those private vehicles that Town employees use as part of their general duties and responsibilities of their office. This policy shall be limited to those vehicles assigned to non-emergency uses, specifically excluding Fire Suppressant Equipment, Ambulances, and Police Cruisers when being operated in patrol or emergency situation.
II: AUTHORIZED USERS
A) Only those persons specifically designated by their Department Head may operate Town-
Owned vehicles.
B) Each designated operator shall possess a valid Operator’s License for the type of vehicle to
be operated.
C) No person shall become a designated operator who has, within the past three (3) years:
1. Been convicted of DWI or Driving to Endanger;
2. Had license suspended or revoked; or
3. Been required to make a filing of Financial Responsibility with the State, except
when waived by the Board of Selectmen for cause.
D) Each individual will have their motor vehicle driver’s record reviewed by the Fremont
Police Department prior to being authorized to drive.
E) For all Town owned vehicles, only those individual employees who have the necessary
licenses and certifications to operate a respective vehicle shall be authorized to operate such
vehicle. For those times when a privately owned vehicle must be used, the owner of the vehicle shall be the operator of such vehicle unless the owner expressly authorizes another employee to utilize their vehicle. In no cases shall an individual who is not an employee of the Town of Fremont be authorized to operate a Town or privately owned vehicle for the purposes of business operations.
III: REMOVAL OF OPERATING PRIVELEGES
An employee’s Department Head may, for just cause and/or any of the following specific reasons, revoke or suspend operating privileges at any time:
A) Misuse of Town equipment;
B) Failure to heed operating regulations;
C) Allowing unauthorized persons to operate equipment; and/or
D) Motor Vehicle record.
IV: AUTHORIZED PURPOSES
Town owned vehicles must be used for purposes of carrying out normal Town business functions. No Town vehicle shall be used for personal purposes unless explicitly authorized by the Department Head. Town purposes shall include the normal day to day activities of each respective department and shall be extended to include such activities as meetings, conferences, seminars, court cases, and training sessions.
The following guidelines shall be adhered to when operating a vehicle for Town business:
A) Vehicles shall be operated in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Regulations in effect where the vehicle is being operated.
B) No vehicle shall be operated outside the limits of the Town without the express approval of the Department Head.
C) Town vehicles are to be used only for OFFICIAL TOWN BUSINESS.
D) All vehicles to be garaged only where designated by each respective Department Head.
E) Where a personal vehicle is needed to perform Town Business, the owner shall be
compensated at the approved Town mileage reimbursement rate.
F) All personal vehicles utilized on Town business shall be in a safe operating condition and meet the vehicle safety regulations of the State it is registered in.
V: USE OF SEATBELTS
Every occupant of a vehicle covered by this policy shall wear a seatbelt during all times that the vehicle is in operation and in motion.
VI: PASSENGERS
Passengers shall be allowed to ride in vehicles covered by this policy, provided that the passenger is a Town employee, or if a non-employee or volunteer, has cause to be accompanying the occupant(s) of the vehicle to a Town sponsored function or activity, such as a meeting, conference, or seminar.
VII: SPEED OF OPERATION
Except for public safety and emergency vehicles during times of emergency operations, all Town owned vehicles and those personal vehicles used for Town business purposes shall be operated as to obey all speed limits and traffic rules.
VIII: MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP
A) The designated operator assigned a particular vehicle shall be responsible for all regular
maintenance and upkeep of said vehicle.
B) Gasoline shall be obtained only from the Town gasoline supply, or another source explicitly
designated by the Department Head.
C) Lubrication and regular maintenance shall be obtained only from the source designated
by the Selectmen or Department Head.
D) Accidents are to be reported immediately to the police department having jurisdiction. Accidents shall further be reported to the Department Head or Town Administrator as soon as possible following. The operator of the vehicle at the time of the accident shall complete a written report for the Town’s records as soon as possible.
E) The designated operator shall not smoke or allow any passenger to smoke in any Town
operated vehicle.
XI: DEPARTMENT POLICIES
Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the establishment of individual departmental rules and regulations concerning the operation and usage of vehicles used for the normal operations of one’s employment with the Town of Fremont, provided these departmental regulations are not inconsistent with the above.
X: ELECTED OFFICIALS/AUTHORIZED VOLUNTEERS
Notwithstanding the other sections of this policy, if an elected official or volunteer is authorized to drive a Town vehicle by the controlling Department Head, or use their private vehicle for Town business purposes, they shall comply with this policy to the extent required by Town employees.
XI. AUTHORITY
This Policy is adopted by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with RSA 41:8.
XII. AMENDMENTS
This Policy may, from time to time, be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Selectmen at a regularly schedule Board meeting.
XIII. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Policy shall be effective upon a vote of the Board of Selectmen and shall replace any and all Vehicle Policy previously enacted by the Town.
Reviewed: 08 May 2014
Adopted: 29 May 2014 Fremont Board of Selectmen
Brett A Hunter, Chair Leon F Holmes Sr Gene Cordes