HOULTON, Maine — In just a little over two weeks, eclipse visitors are projected to more than quadruple Houlton’s population and the police chief is urging residents to plan ahead for groceries, prescriptions and fuel in advance of the April 5 to 8 weekend.
“Our goal is to increase awareness of the expected impact the event will have on our routine and community activities as well as what preparations we can take in advance to ensure our comfort at home and enjoy the event,” Chief Tim DeLuca said in a public message to the community on Monday.
A town eclipse planning committee has been preparing for nearly two years to make certain the once in a lifetime event goes off without a problem. Things like food, porta-potties, entertainment, weather, additional fuel, cell service, lodging, traffic and public safety have been front and center for months.
Like Houlton, several Maine towns are in the solar eclipse path of totality, but because Houlton is the shadow of the moon’s last stop in the United States before entering Canada, the town of 5,000 may draw larger crowds than other areas.
Experts have predicted 40,000 Houlton visitors, but it is hard to know with certainty how many people will actually venture into northern Maine in April to witness this cosmic rarity. Hotels have been booked for months, NASA scientists are on tap, a New York City-based documentary team is set to record the small town’s events and planners are ready.
But as crunch time nears, the eclipse committee wants to keep local residents aware of plans and decisions that may affect their daily routines over the four-day eclipse festival weekend.
“Expect Market Square and surrounding downtown streets to be closed to normal traffic
flow from Friday to Monday,” DeLuca said. “Residents of Market Square Commons will be allowed to pass through to Market Square Commons from the Union Square entrance.”
DeLuca said all current decisions could change depending upon the number of visitors.
That’s why he’s urging locals to tune into WHOU 100.1 FM for updated public service announcements and to consider adding a free eclipse app to phones.
The town eclipse committee decided on partnering with the Eclipse Co. to provide the app to visitors and residents.The $3,000 cost of the app was paid by the eclipse committee that is operating on sponsorships, grants and merchandise sales.
“The town is paying nothing for eclipse expenses with the exception of an additional $40,000 in the police budget,” Johanna Johnston, head of the eclipse committee said.
The Eclipse App is now available for free on iOS via the App Store and on Android through the Play Store.
The app offers up to date event information, has a countdown timer to totality and if users sign up for alerts, they can get current town announcements.
Things like traffic changes, emergency information, lost children or adults will all be sent out as alerts on the app, said Johnston.
DeLuca said that depending on the volume of calls for service and the nature of the incident, the Houlton Police Dept. may be delayed in responding.
“All emergencies will be treated as such, and we will respond accordingly,” he said. “We are increasing staffing for emergency services to include Officers from other communities in Maine. You may see a different uniform with law enforcement authority in Houlton for the event.”
Other announcements from DeLuca include:
Residents will be allowed access to their homes and properties throughout the community. However, residents surrounding the closed grid of Market Street, lower Main Street, Broadway, lower Court Street and Water Street are urged to find alternate parking locations.
Residents will be allowed access to their homes and properties throughout the community. However, residents surrounding the closed grid of Market Street, lower Main Street, Broadway, lower Court Street and Water Street are urged to find alternate parking locations.
Parking will be allowed throughout the community, so expect parking in residential
areas not normally utilized for this purpose. The Houlton Police Dept. will be responding to those parking complaints only restricting emergency vehicles and residential passage.
The public parking area on the (Mechanic Street side) will be reserved for those residents with housing in the closed grid area. Mechanic Street will only be accessible from Highland/Pleasant Street (not Main Street) for downtown residents and two-way traffic will be allowed for this event. You must be a downtown resident to park in this area.
Public parking in the municipal lot on the Water Street side is reserved for municipal and event activities.
Expect delays in traffic as it gets closer to the event on Monday. Although there is a traffic and parking plan, delays are expected. Some streets less traveled may be used to move traffic throughout the community.
There will be no parking on Pleasant Street, Highland Avenue, Washburn Street, Putnam Avenue, Hartford Street, limited on Military Street or any State Highway including within the Urban Compact Zone. This is subject to change.
