NEWARK, OH – The president of a Mount Vernon company claims Newark police cost his business more than $5,000 when three of his trucks stopped for three hours so one truck marked “oversized load” could be weighed, according to the Newark Advocate Reporter. The police said they were operating within their authority and state law when they stopped a United Precast Inc. tractor-trailer May 14.

John Ellis, president of United Precast, said his three trucks were in accordance with permits issued by the Special Hauling Permits Section of the Ohio Department of Transportation and traveled through Newark with the proper equipment, escort vehicles, signage, flags, and flashing lights required for oversized loads.

Ellis said once police checked the permits and licenses, they should have allowed the trucks to continue on their way.

“They had permits, but it doesn’t mean the weights are in line with the permits,” Newark Safety Director Kathy Barch said, as quoted in the Newark Advocate Reporter.

The company did not receive any fines, but Ellis contends the delay cost Precast $600 per hour per unit, or $5,400. The wait cost the contractor, waiting for the equipment in Belpre, an estimated $4,500. But Newark police said only one truck was stopped for two hours. The other truck drivers chose to stop but were not directed to do so.

State law permits such stops to take up to five hours.