Board approves town-funded horse-crossing signs near 269 Osgood Road

The Milford Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Monday to install official horse-crossing signs on Osgood Road near 269 Osgood Road after residents asked the board for added warnings.

Nicole Granger Samolis, who said she lives at 269 Osgood Road and operates a new horse farm there, told the board riders and horses regularly cross the road to access pastures and requested signs on both sides of the road to alert unfamiliar drivers. The board discussed whether the signs would be placed on town right-of-way and whether they would be paid for by the town or by the farm.

Selectman Paul Darje made the motion to approve town installation of standard yellow horse-crossing signs; the motion was seconded and carried with voice vote. Board members asked that the Department of Public Works (DPW) staff, identified in the meeting as “Leo,” coordinate final placement to keep signs out of the plow zone and meet any MUTCD spacing guidance the DPW follows.

Board members discussed precedent for requests for roadside warning signs and whether the town will fund similar requests in the future, but agreed the crossing request was different from other traffic-safety petitions because it signals an interaction between road users and animals rather than correcting a documented sight-line problem. The board left placement details to DPW and asked the petitioners and Leo to coordinate timing.

The motion carried by voice vote with all members present saying “aye.”

Leo of DPW was asked to install the signs on metal posts in locations that minimize interference with plowing and to confirm the exact placements with the petitioners.