CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou City Council followed up on concerns raised by Harold Schneider that the Prospect and Collins streets intersection is dangerous and could potentially lead to an accident that harms children in the area.
Schneider, who lives on the corner of the two streets, first spoke to the council on Feb. 24, and asked if a second set of stop signs could be installed on Collins Street to minimize any danger.
He was asked to return on March 9 after city officials had had time to investigate the issue further.
City Manager Dennis Marker, during the March meeting, said the police department has been staging on Collins Street, and that at least one speeding ticket has been issued since then, adding that he’s sure more have been written.
He said the city has yet to consult the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a national standard that indicates when a stop sign or pavement marking would be placed based on traffic movement, speed and volume. But at this point, his recommendation is to have officers continue monitoring the intersection.
Mayor Mark Goughan said the addition of a third stop sign on the Collins Street and Pioneer Avenue intersection 30 years ago created immense controversy in Caribou.
Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan said that only four accidents have occurred at the intersection within the last four years, and that two were failure to yield and another two were failure to acknowledge the stop sign.
The chief said all of the accidents were caused by vehicles driving up Prospect Street toward the intersection, an area that already has a stop sign.
Schneider said the accidents are a result of people not being able to see around one of the corners of the intersection.
“You can’t see around that corner and that’s why people get hit,” he said. “I ended up with one car in my yard last year.”
Gahagan reiterated that the area has only had one accident per year in the last four years, and Schneider asked if it’s possible to install a yield sign on Collins street, or if he would need to have people sign a petition before anything can be done.
Goughan suggested continuing the close monitoring of the intersection and asked if it’s possible to move a speed detection trailer to the area to deter motorists from driving recklessly.
The chief said this isn’t currently possible due to the snow, but that it could be used in the summer to show how fast people are traveling.
“This is a tough one,” said Goughan. “We’d like to try the police presence for a little bit just to see if that makes any impact. If it doesn’t, and there are more accidents in the future, this will always be looked at. We know it’s an issue.”
“If your kid gets hurt, then that’s on you,” said Schnieder.
“Nobody wants anybody to get hurt,” said Goughan. “That’s not the goal here. If we put a stop sign there, there’s going to be a lot of angry people asking us why we did it.”
“It’s because people are flying down that road,” said Schneider, who added that he will begin gathering signatures for a petition.
Goughan told him that he understands his concerns and that “government is not made to move quickly.”
“You do it in incremental steps,” Goughan said. “We’re going to try the police presence and see how that goes. But please keep us informed. We’re not saying don’t come back.”
Councilor Doug Morrell asked if the chief could provide a plan for how to address the intersection to ease Schneider’s concerns.
“I know he’s only one person but he’s still a [resident],” said Morrell. “He has rights, and I don’t blame him, and I know what he’s saying about the kids. I agree with the mayor. I’d just like to have a little plan.”
Gahagan said this is why the department has been studying speeds and traffic on that road, adding that this is standard for any complaints on a dangerous road within the city. He then asked the chief if there are any obstructions in the road.
“There are snow banks on the right coming up Prospect street, but if you’re not stopping, then it doesn’t matter if there’s a snowbank or not,” he said.
Marker said obstructions such as this actually create more concern and unease with motorists approaching an intersection, causing many to slow down. Removing the snowbank would likely cause drivers to be less cautious as they approach.
The mayor reiterated that the intersection is “a tough issue,” and thanked Marker, Gahagan and Schneider for their time.
