By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — The Town of Naples won’t have to wait for the state to try to curb the public safety concerns along Route 302.

The town ordered signs with blinking LED lights to warn drivers about the speed limit reductions on the approach to the Causeway.

Last week, residents made their case and offered some solutions to make Main Street safer. The focus was on the section of Route 302, also known as Roosevelt Trail, near the Naples Fire Station.

Plenty of people stroll along the sidewalk on the Long Lake side, passing the town beach, the cemetery, and the scenery. Meanwhile, many drivers seem unaware that the speed limit decreases to 25 mph right after the town hall. Recent vehicular accidents illustrate the need for safety improvements.

On Monday, the Naples Board of Selectmen opted to order two signs with blinking LED lights for both ends of the Causeway.

At the urging of Selectmen Bob Caron II, the board decided to address both approaches to the Causeway — from the Bridgton side and from the Casco side. He suggested another blinking light on the hill near Moose Landing Marina because people speed going down that hill into the area where the traffic is often more congested, especially at peak times.

The board voted, 3–0, to purchase the two sign with blinking lights to alert traffic as well as orange flags that often accompany the blinking lights. The board went with the least expensive model of blinking speed limit signs. The cost was $1,342 each

Monday’s discussion was a follow-up to the agenda item that was talked about during the previous board meeting that was held on Sept. 16.

Naples Town Manager John Hawley reported to the board about the research he had done during the time in-between the two meetings.

“Last Monday, we had people stand up and talk about safety concerns on Route 302. There were two recommendations: solid double stripes on the center line and flashing lights” on the speed limit signs,” he said

“Following last week’s meeting, the board asked for estimates for a solar speed limit sign with LED lights. We received two quotes. One was for $2,847 and another was $1,342. The more expensive one comes with a computer that allow for timing adjustments. The less expensive one is on 24 hours and dims the LEDs at night,” Hawley said.

Chairman Jim Grattelo said that in driving around Maine, he has noticed that several towns “put orange flags on the signs as well.”

“That [solution] cannot cost a lot of money,” he said.

There are some speed limit signs with blinking white LED lights in Cape Elizabeth, in an area that has a lot of bicycle traffic.

Hawley pointed out that the blinking traffic lights are accompanied by orange flags in Brunswick.

Selectman Caron spoke.

“I love the price, but we need another one coming into Naples. The speed limit drops down right before Moose Landing [Marina]. If we are going to do one, we should do two,” Caron said.

Also, on Monday, Hawley shared with the board the communication he planned to send to the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT).

“As requested following last week’s meeting, the [board of selectmen] asked me to draft a letter to the DOT to request approval for the placement of the 35 mph LED sign, and for them to consider restriping the center lane lines so that both are solid through the 35 mph zone going toward Bridgton,” Hawley said.

He said that since Route 302 is owned by the state, the town cannot restripe the road without permission.

The concept behind the solid stripe is that people cannot pass in a zone where the speed limit goes down.

The letter to the MDOT included photos taken by the citizens who spoke last week. There were three or four photos of the results of an accident involving two vehicles, and some photos of the number of people and dogs that take walks along that stretch of road.