Complaints regarding the placement of two free-standing crosswalk signs in Damariscotta were conveyed at the June 4 Board of Selectmen meeting by Chair Josh Pinkham.
The signs placed in the center of Main Street crosswalks located at Theater Street and at the south entrance to the municipal parking lot have generated complaints from motorists, according to Pinkham.
“I’m getting a lot of feedback from truck drivers about it not being wide enough,” Pinkham said.
Town Manager Matt Lutkus said he was aware of the complaints.
“They’re trying to maneuver trucks and boats out of the parking lot there,” Lutkus said.
According to Lutkus, the board had discussed the signs some time ago in regard to pedestrian safety. He said that the signs could be removed if the board preferred that.
“At this point we don’t have crosswalks,” Pinkham said, referring to the paint being nearly gone on the street pavement. “I think we need to have them up,” he said, at least until the striping and painting is completed.
Lutkus said that the repainting of lines has already begun in the municipal parking lot.
“The intent is to mark the pedestrian walkways and the lines as soon as possible,” Lutkus said.
Selectman Robin Mayer said, “When the crosswalks are painted you can see them, but today you can’t.”
Lutkus said that once the crosswalks are painted the signs could be removed if the board so chooses.
Mayer said that the crosswalk sign located on Main Street in front of Mobius had been moved to the side and asked that it be returned to the center of the street.
“At night time there aren’t any street lights and the sign really shows where that crosswalk is.”
Lutkus said now that the sign had been moved to make room for snowplows during winter. He said the sign could be returned to the center of the street.
