Views expressed in editorials are solely the opinions of the author.
North Yarmouth recently announced a town sidewalk plan for Village Center. Created by Olver Associates, the proposal defines areas where the town would like to expand sidewalks. It is broken into 6 phases, and the cost varies for each section based on the type of drainage system needed. The plan would add a total of 6400 feet of sidewalk and is estimated to cost $1,045,000 to build. I have some safety concerns about the proposed design. A lot of people walk the Village Center area. If the town will be investing in a project for the benefit of residents, they should be talking to the people who would be using it. I submitted a proposal to the town last year suggesting a sidewalk loop that would benefit a large section of residents in the area. The Olver Associates Plan would give residents a “walkable loop” but does not address the bigger safety issue of crossing busy state routes that pass through Village Center.
Looking at the areas near the junction of Rt. 9 and Rt. 115, the Olver Associates sidewalk plan gives direct access to a sidewalk to four homes that have none and 20 homes plus the Purple House that already have access to a sidewalk either directly or by a short walk down a side street.
The flaw in the Olver plan is how residents would need to get to a sidewalk. Anyone along Baston Road, Country Lane, Sweetser Road, Timber Lane, Split Rock Road, and The Lane taking a kid for a walk to Toots would have to cross a Maine state road four times to get to their ice cream, and then four more times to get home. There are a lot of people who already walk in the area. I think any improvements should be done in a way to give the most benefit to residents.
Last fall, I met with the Town Manager to present a suggested sidewalk plan. I split it into two sections: Rt. 115 from Memorial Highway to Baston Road, east side of Rt. 115; north side of Rt 9 Parsonage Road to Oakhill Road. The design would immediately satisfy three goals of the Comprehensive Plan. It is adjacent to the town center, it gives interconnectivity of streets, and it supports the walkability of neighborhoods. The conversation was brief, but I emphasized the need to do something to improve the safety of people who walk in the area.
My plan started as an idea after seeing a mother walking with a baby buggy along Rt. 115 and being concerned because there was no sidewalk for them to use - high traffic volume, excessive vehicle speed, and limited line of sight in the area make me worry for their safety. Since talking with Diane, I have looked at tax maps, driven the area, and reviewed the TIF. I believe my proposal clearly fits with the Comp Plan.
The plan I submitted to the town would give direct access to a sidewalk, without traveling along or crossing a state road, for 82 homes that currently do not have sidewalk access and 7 homes near Stone Post that have a sidewalk for travel in one direction. It also provides the same access that the Olver Plan part A gives to the properties on Parsonage Road and on the opposite side of Rt. 9.
The main difference between the two plans comes down to increasing direct access to sidewalks and safety. I propose a sidewalk straight down the east side of Rt. 115 to connect Baston Road to the existing sidewalk at Stone Post Lane. My overall proposal totals approximately 5355 feet of sidewalk to be built. I admit I do not know what the cost of such a plan would be. However, I feel this has no downside, beyond cost, as it would satisfy all three of the Comprehensive Plan’s primary goals while potentially being funded nearly 60% with TIF monies.
The benefits are clear. My plan would enhance safety and walkability in the Village Center while also providing for interconnectivity of Baston Road, Timber Lane, Country Lane, The Lane, Split Rock Road, and Stone Post Lane to the new developments in this area. These roads are all within 0.8 miles of the store and businesses from their Rt 115 and Rt 9 terminuses.
Most recently on May 16th, I shared my proposal directly to Kit Maloney during her coffee talk at Toddy Brook, and to the Select Board during Select Board meeting public comment. A number of residents and Selectperson Perrin asked me questions about my plan following the meeting. But I have not heard from the town if they will be considering my suggested changes.
Why is it better that people walking from Baston Road, Timber Lane, Country Lane, Split Rock Road, to have to cross Rt. 115 to get to sidewalks, when Pea Lane and Dozer Drive already have direct access to a sidewalk on Rt. 9? To improve safety for people walking in the Village Center, expanding sidewalks is needed. If the Town is going to invest in these sorts of improvements, then it should be done in a way that benefits the most residents and clearly addresses safety concerns.
Mike Mallory
North Yarmouth