Walkabout: PI
Happenings in the Star City
Editor’s Note: This new column was inspired by reader requests, and is our collection of some of the latest occurrences and observations around town.
Time, it is a-changin’
Fall brings not only a change in the weather, but time itself: This Sunday, Nov. 1, Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. and local Standard Time resumes when we “fall back” and turn the clocks back one hour.
The Presque Isle Fire Department reminds us at the same time to replace the batteries in our home smoke detectors.
“When you change your clocks, change your batteries,” urged Deputy Fire Chief Adam Rider. “We recommend changing the batteries twice a year. And make sure you test your smoke alarms once a month.”
This year’s theme for Fire Prevention Week was “Have one in every bedroom.”
“In Presque Isle, we do have a smoke detector installation program for anybody who owns their own home. Just come in, fill out an application and we will install smoke alarms at no charge,” Rider added. Funding for the program is from a federal grant.
For information, call the PIFD at 769-0881.
A calmer commute
Travelers along Main Street are feeling a lot less like bobbleheads, thanks to the resurfacing of 1.7 miles of the city’s major thoroughfare from Chapman Street to the Route 1 bridge.
“The contractor [Lane Construction] did a good job with the project,” said Ray Demerchant, senior project manager at the Maine Department of Transportation’s Region 5 office in Presque Isle. “It did turn out well.” Work is done but for concrete sealing and a few small items, he said last week.
Crews began preparation work Aug. 2 and actual paving activity started around Aug. 19.
The local DOT was both designer and overseer. “During construction, we inspected and made sure the work was performed to our specifications,” Demerchant noted.
The “mill and fill” project involved removing existing, rutted pavement with a milling machine. “In this case we removed about 2-1/2 inches of pavement, basically to get a nice true plane to remove the wheel ruts,” he explained. “This creates a smooth surface to place new pavement. Then we placed approximately 2-1/2 inches of new pavement.”
A huge plus was the fact that the work was done at night, which allowed for traffic flow — a provision specified in the contract. “So traffic wasn’t impacted and businesses weren’t impacted during the day,” Demerchant said.
Walkers also benefit: A new sidewalk extension from Daigle Oil now joins the existing one at Maysville Street.
“It’s nice for pedestrians — now they don’t have to walk in the road and dodge signs,” Demerchant added. “The new sidewalk was funded partly by the Maine DOT and partly by the city of Presque Isle. We shared the cost.”
