Michael Trotta

Key Points

• Trotta identified Route 11 as the plow route covering Fairview Road, Cedarcrest, Kings, and Spring Streets, and named Brian Loughran as the driver of Truck 30 — a Town of Canton 4300 International — assigned to that route during the blizzard.
• Trotta testified that drivers are instructed to plow the middle of the road first, establishing where plow blades would have been operating relative to the road edges and curbs on Fairview Road that night.
• Trotta described the driver's seat height in the 4300 International as approximately 4 to 4½ feet off the ground, providing context relevant to what a plow driver would have been able to see from behind the wheel.
• Yannetti emphasized that Proctor's inquiry was a telephone call lasting only a few minutes. Trotta did not remember Proctor's exact questions, said he may have identified Brian Loughran, and believed he referred Proctor to the operations manager. He answered no when Yannetti asked whether Proctor had asked to speak with Loughran and remained unsure about broader interviews and later personal follow-up.
• On cross-examination, Yannetti questioned Trotta about Proctor's phone inquiry. Trotta said the call lasted a few minutes and that Proctor did not meet him in person at the DPW; he did not remember Proctor's exact questions, said he may have identified Brian Loughran, and believed he referred Proctor to the operations manager. When Yannetti asked whether Proctor had asked to speak with Loughran, Trotta answered no. Trotta remained unsure whether Proctor planned other interviews or later followed up with him personally.