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Orono committee backs LED flashing signs, narrower lanes and a back-to-school safety campaign
Summary
The Orono Community Development Committee agreed to pursue LED flashing signs on Taylor Road (estimated $7,000), townwide re-striping to 11-foot lanes, and a short public-awareness campaign and video ahead of the fall semester to alert drivers and protect students.
Assistant Town Manager Mitch Stone told the Orono Community Development Committee that the town plans to add LED flashing lights around signs on Taylor Road and re-stripe streets to reduce lane widths to 11 feet where lines are repainted, measures officials say will increase driver awareness and pedestrian safety.
"You're probably talking about $7,000 for both the signs," Stone said, describing the cost of installing lights around the existing signs. He said the work "might" fit in current budgets but could require "a little extra money." Stone added that the state Department of Transportation was supportive of the proposed striping changes.
The committee discussed timing and related work: Oak Street paving will include curb cut work before a permanent crosswalk can be installed at the bridge, and one diagonal crosswalk is slated for removal when the new crosswalk comes into service. Stone said stripe crews will apply the 11-foot lane standard "everywhere we do lines."
Members also agreed to invest in a short communications package to publicize the changes and to produce a short video highlighting school-bus stopping rules and broader road-safety messages. Dan DeMerritt and communications staff were asked to help capture footage during summer programs so the committee can roll out messaging before students return in the fall.
Stone said the town's main speed sign on Main Street has been operating in a passive, data-collection mode and staff will compare that data with school-year baselines to measure effects of signage and striping.
Why it matters: Committee members said the combined approach — engineering (striping and curb work), enforcement (coordination with police), and education (video and events) — is intended to create a visible change in driver behavior around schools and busy corridors as roughly 2,000 new students are expected to return in the fall.
Next steps: Stone will give a brief presentation at the July 13 council meeting and the committee will schedule the August back-to-school outreach event and short video release. The committee did not vote on formal funding at the meeting; staff said specific budget requests will follow.
