Drivers on Medomak Road in Bremen will see a number of changes directed at slowing traffic, after residents and business owners called on the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to stop speeding there.
Selectman Hank Nevins told the Board of Selectmen, at their May 17 meeting, that resident Melanee Osier-Gilbert has asked for the measures. Osier-Gilbert is a resident of Medomak Road and owner of Maine Fresh Lobster Inc. She said the speed limit is 35 mph on much of the road and goes down to 25 mph elsewhere. Selectman John Marsh called for an electronic sign that would tell drivers both the posted speed and that at which they are traveling.
“We can bring down that sign and do other things to try to monitor the speed,” said Lt. Rand Maker of LCSO. He said a deputy could be assigned to the area during some peak traffic times.
Osier-Gilbert asked for increased signage to alert drivers to the speed limit and to the presence of children along the road.
“That’s going to help, but there’s a certain percentage that, the only thing that’s going to help is a ticket.” Maker said. “We’re okay with that, too.” He said the first step was to educate people with adequate signage.
“There’s a lot of people that walk.” Osier-Gilbert said. “A lot of people ride bikes and [drivers] don’t slow down.” She said she has stepped into the road to try to stop trucks that are speeding.
“Bait trucks go as fast as the locals,” said Norma Osier.
Maker said the electronic sign is in great demand throughout the county.
“We have limited resources,” he said. “We have 425 square miles.”
Osier-Gilbert said she would ask other business owners to speak with their drivers about the situation.
“Let’s try some signage and ask for more enforcement,” Chairwoman Wendy Pieh said. She suggested the board draft a letter to business owners
Norma Osier said the straight section of Medomak Road is a gathering place for teens and Osier-Gilbert said women walk their baby carriages down the road.
“They don’t even stay on one side of the road,” Norma Osier said. She called for improved road safety programs in the schools.
Road Commissioner Tom Kostenbader said he would order traffic signs. He said adding a bike lane might help slow people down.
“It’s got to do with psychological driving,” Nevins said. He said studies have shown that narrower roads and those with trees alongside them calm drivers and slow traffic.
“I can have people down there next week,” Maker said. “But in fairness, before we invite people to pay the state, let’s make sure it’s clearly marked.”
Nevins said Bremen has no traffic ordinance that would allow for enforcement, but one is in the works and would be ready for selectmen to review later this spring.
“If neighbors talk to neighbors, that can have an influence, too,” Maker said. He said he would collect statistics and look at the situation again in a month, after publicity and signage had a chance to make an impression.
The next meeting of the Bremen Board of Selectmen will be Thurs., June 7 at 5 p.m. at the Bremen Town Office. For more information call the town office at 529-5945.
