Commissioners approve up to $300 for signs to identify Mustang Lane after 911 delays

The Board of Commissioners voted Monday to spend up to $300 on reflective signs and posts to help emergency services find homes on a spur known locally as Mustang Lane, after officials said inconsistent addressing has caused multiple delayed 911 responses.

David Wright (speaking as the town’s fire-marshalling/inspection contact) described the problem: several homes accessed from Pelletier Loop share addresses that make it hard for first responders to locate them. "If somebody's having a heart attack, we're losing valuable minutes, not seconds anymore," he said, noting at least three 911 responses where locating the correct driveway was difficult.

Staff told the board that the county’s GIS/911 office requires that residents petition the town before the county will recognize a road-name change. In the short term, officials proposed installing a sign at the end of the road and reflective address signs at driveways to improve response times. A motion to spend up to $300 for signs and posts was moved and seconded; the board approved the expenditure by voice vote.

The fire department said it will coordinate sign installation and expects the signs to be in place by the next meeting.

The board noted that an official road-name change would require resident petitions and subsequent county approval; staff estimated residents would incur small costs related to mailing and personal address updates if they choose to change addresses formally.

The board did not record a named roll-call vote in the minutes; the motion passed on a voice vote with no objections recorded.