FARMINGTON — Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. told commissioners Tuesday that he has seen some near collisions by vehicles turning into and out of the county complex onto state Route 4.
The new $4.4 million Emergency Operations Center opened late last month at 120 County Way. It includes the Commissioners Office, Emergency Management Agency, Technology Department, the Treasurer’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office. The complex also includes the jail and the Regional Communications Center in separate buildings.
Nichols said he has seen some “near misses” with the increase in traffic at the complex.
To see around two Central Maine Power Co. poles at the end of County Way, vehicles have to pull past the poles onto Route 4, he said.
County Way is narrow and usually for vehicles to pass each other, one has to stop to let the other go by, he said.
If an accident does happen, Nichols said, it could shut down emergency access for deputies.
“The width of (County Way) is extremely narrow,” Bernard said.
She said she will contact CMP to see if the poles can be moved back and possibly see if the Maine Department of Transportation could do a sight-of-view analysis.
A pothole where County Way meets Route 4 will be filled in soon.
County officials talked previously about putting some of the money aside to improve the access road, Bernard said. There is a reserve fund for to improve the parking lot and maybe some of that money can be used, she said.
Tuesday’s meeting was the last one at the courthouse. Commissioners’ next one will be at the Emergency Operations Center.
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