Orono council keeps Forest Ave speed tables, sends traffic study to committee

The Orono Town Council discussed traffic calming on Forest Avenue after MDOT removed two raised crosswalks during a paving project, with residents saying speeds rose and the fire chief saying he has no data on response time impacts. The council agreed to refer the issue to the Community Development Committee for more data and design options, and handled several routine orders, including a Martin Park grant application and a police radio grant.

Key points

• The council agreed to refer Forest Avenue traffic calming to the Community Development Committee, seeking verified data on emergency response times and possible alternatives to the outermost speed table.
• Residents Doug Johnson, Elizabeth Bayer and Sean Smith said speeds increased after two raised crosswalks were removed, citing neighborhood observations and past town speed data showing top speeds in the 80s.
• Fire Chief Tom Higgins said speed tables slow emergency vehicles but that he has no specific data on response time impacts; councilors disagreed over whether such data exists.
• The council voted 6-0 to approve an order authorizing parking restrictions and bans for the coming year, with a draft interactive parking map.
• The council voted 6-0 to authorize a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant application of up to $17,000 for a new police radio system.
• The council voted 6-0 to authorize a Land and Water Conservation Fund application for Martin Park improvements, leveraging about $163,500 in federal funds.
• The council voted down two tabled orders on CSX letters and approved a new order authorizing a letter to federal delegates and the governor on the August 8 CSX derailment and the Old Town bridge collapse, with minor edits allowed for accuracy.

Next steps

• Staff will bring back an order at the next meeting referring Forest Avenue traffic calming to the Community Development Committee.
• The town manager will gather response time data from public safety and report back on what MDOT reinstalls on Forest Avenue this fall.
• CSX is expected to work on culverts on Pine Street and other sites; the town manager will update the council.
• The council will hold a presentation on Route 2 at its October 5 meeting and a discussion of automated license plate reader ordinances.
• The council entered executive session for a personnel matter under 1 MRSA 4056a.

Read the full transcript