KINGFIELD — The Kingfield Select Board tackled winter sidewalk maintenance and a community-wide speed reduction initiative during its Dec. 16 meeting, emphasizing the need for practical solutions and clear communication with residents.

Kingfield resident Claudia Diller addressed the board, urging broader promotion of a “Slow Down” message aimed at improving pedestrian safety. “[Town Manager Leanna Targett] posted a good Slow Down note on the Kingfield page,” Diller said.

The message, prominently displayed on Kingfield’s website in bold red letters, reads, “Please Slow Down in our little town.” It emphasizes that “safety is Kingfield’s highest priority” and encourages drivers to “be the change you wish to see, obey traffic laws.” The page also provides practical tips, such as understanding stopping distances. The page concludes with the warning, “Life has no reset button, drive carefully.”

“Can we post it on the community boards,” asked Diller, referring to the message. “No one reads the town’s page. Can she [Targett] put it on the community forum for New Portland, Carrabassett Valley, Kingfield? That is what people read the most.”

Selectman Christopher Rushton asked if it entailed more than just pushing a button, to which Targett, town manager, replied it is simply pushing a button.

Board Chair Wade Browne agreed to the idea, saying, “If she [Targett] has time to do it, then OK.”

Diller pushed for the board’s official endorsement of the initiative. “If the select board goes along with the initiative, it will cut back on any blowback,” she said. Browne clarified the board’s stance. “If it is coming from a town official, then it comes from all of us. It is not just one of us,” he said.

The conversation turned to crosswalk signage, with Diller noting that the state Department of Transportation [DOT] is responsible for placing pedestrian crossing signs. Browne expressed skepticism about the DOT’s willingness to add multiple signs in Kingfield. “It is up to the DOT, not the town,” he said, adding that efforts to request parking signs near Rolling Fatties had been denied due to visibility concerns.

“We did get some pictures of things that we can maybe buy this summer, for the crosswalks, the slow down things that are foldable and can be run over,” Browne said. “We need to figure out how they stick to the ground. Are they weighted?”

Targett confirmed there are options, explaining, “There are a few different options, some that can be laid, some that can be drilled into the ground.”

Diller stressed the importance of safety, particularly for distracted pedestrians. “You’ve got to remember there are kids crossing, and they are looking at phones,” she said.

Sidewalk clearing for winter drew significant discussion after recent challenges with the town’s snow removal equipment. Browne explained that employee Wastewater Superintendent Travis Targett had stepped in to snowblow sidewalks using his own machine. “We did run into a giant rock from a retaining wall,” Browne said explaining what happened to the town’s machine. “Travis said we can rent his machine and have him run it.”

Browne said the board would discuss compensation for Travis. “We need to figure out what Travis wants and have a discussion in executive session,” he said, adding that the town has funds allocated for the position but has struggled to find someone to fill it.

Browne said the town would explore long-term options for next year, potentially putting the work out to bid. “This year Travis has a machine, and we want to get it done now with someone steadily doing it,” he explained. He said the board will bring the finer details to the town and come up with a game plan after the executive session.

Selectman Rushton thanked Travis for his efforts.