KINGFIELD — Plans for reconstruction of the town’s Main Street within the next two years offer residents several creative options for downtown streetscape improvements.
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, the Road Reconstruction Committee will hold a public forum at Webster Hall to share their suggestions for rebuilding Main Street. Selectmen agreed at their Monday night meeting to pay to survey the town’s property lines on Mill Street, which run between the Carrabassett Valley River and Main Street, with three entrances to both Bridge and Main streets. The Road Reconstruction Committee has suggested closing the Main Street access next to the Original Irregular’s office to retain parking spaces.
Another option could retain the property as a driveway. Mill Street property owners would be restricted to the Bridge Street access and another behind the Kingfield Video Network. Administrative Assistant Leanna Targett said she has contacted the property owners and expects to present selectmen with any concerns. Residents will be offered the opportunity to vote on the issue.
In other news, selectmen discussed the cost versus benefits of transporting people from Dec. 26 to April 1 to Sugarloaf and back. A regional transportation grant was meant to encourage drivers to take the round-trip bus from Kingfield to Sugarloaf. The town appropriated $3,500 to participate in the annual transportation to the ski resort.
“If we charged you per mile, we charge about $6,500,” transportation manager Alan Burnell told selectmen.
The free service has operated for seven years as a service and doesn’t make a profit, he said. Businesses advertise the bus service as a feature to bring tourists to the area, he noted. With one run to and from Kingfield during school vacations and on weekends, he has seen fewer riders in the 12-passenger vans.
Burnell and selectmen agreed that more publicity would encourage riders to leave their cars at home and take the bus.
The van leaves the Herbert Grand Hotel’s parking lot at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m.
“I think what’s keeping a lot of people from using the bus is only having one run,” noted Selectman Merv Wilson.
Wilson also said that parents don’t want to allow children to ride the bus alone.
Selectman Wade Browne suggested that charging a nominal fee per rider would help the town defray costs.
The board also signed a hay growing and harvesting lease with Casey Bowden.
Selectmen announced that the Town Office will be closed for Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Kingfield Independent School Committee meeting will convene to discuss plans to ask voters to withdraw from Regional School Unit 58.
The Bicentennial Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, to plan the 2016 celebration.
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