LISBON — Town councilors gave Public Works director Ryan Leighton permission Tuesaday night to search for a new traffic light camera for the intersection of routes 9 and 196.
The intersection is a concern because of its near the high school and the middle school, and there is a broken device underground that counts traffic.
“People are moving away from the in-the-ground (counters) because they’re old technology,” Leighton said. “The cameras being recommended provide traffic count data, and have control of changing timing.”
Leighton estimated the camera would cost between $3,000 and $6,000, which is not included in this year’s budget.
“It’s a public safety thing,” Councilor Norm Albert said, “and we have to bite the bullet.”
In another traffic-related issue, councilors discussed a Maine Department of Transportation project to improve sections of Route 125.
“I don’t think there’s been any doubt that this project didn’t have enough money” from the state, Leighton said. “I was a bit surprised to find out how badly it didn’t have enough money.”
Leighton said the biggest shortfall of $3.5 million is for the section along Main Street from Route 196 to Huston Street.
The projects are paid for by MDOT, with matching funding from the town.
“I’m less concerned about (the town’s) ability to raise what we need for the match,” Leighton said. “What I think is going to happen is that (the projects) are going to be phased-in, in sections.”
In other matters:
• A public hearing was set for next council meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 to discuss options for continuing Lisbon Emergency.
• A workshop for a Moxie Festival discussion was set for 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Town Office.
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