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Selectboard reviews village traffic-calming plan; town share of $210,000 already budgeted
Summary
Officials unveiled a village traffic-calming plan of speed tables, raised crosswalks and push-button crossings; the town's $210,000 share of a $400,000 grant is budgeted and construction is expected in the fall.
Town staff presented a preliminary village traffic-calming plan that combines raised crosswalks (speed tables), enhanced crosswalk markings and push-button crossing signs designed to activate only when pedestrians use them.
The town manager (presenting the plan) said the project addresses high-speed complaints on Jefferson, Friendship and Main streets and includes drainage improvements for Jefferson Street. The plan has been submitted to Maine DOT and the project team expects to put the work out to bid for fall construction, arranging work so only one lane of Route 220 will be closed at a time.
Staff said the town’s share is $210,000 of a $400,000 grant; that amount has already been budgeted. The manager added the town intends to piggyback state sign bids to reduce the signage cost and noted public-works staff will assist where feasible.
On functionality, the manager described pedestrian-activated signs: “they're not going to be flashing all the time… you're going to push a button and walk across,” which staff said was a preference from downtown meetings to avoid continuous flashing lighting overnight.
Board members and staff discussed location constraints (utility poles and spacing), ADA accessibility, and the intent to preserve as much parking as possible while improving pedestrian safety.
The selectboard took no separate funding vote at this meeting beyond acknowledging the already-budgeted town share and moving the plan toward DOT review and bid preparation.
