January 8, 2002
Section 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report contains ten sections that include historic, resource, and support data organized for easy reference. A brief outline of the plan as outlined in Sections 4, 7, and 8 follows:
The rehabilitation of the intersection including pedestrian and traffic safety and all related transportation and safety needs.
This plan includes the following recommendations:
Building-to-Buildingî (horizontal surfaces) rehabilitation of the village to include:
Traffic Signal
Turning Lanes
Wide shoulders for bicycle traffic.
Crosswalks with safe landings
Sidewalks ñ raised for pedestrian/foot traffic to connect school, church, ball field, and art center to village.
Maximize parking for businesses ñ parallel street parking.
Handicapped parking
Landscaping, mini-parks where appropriate
No Parking Zoneî within 50 feet of the intersection.
Extend village limits (west) to include Fox Run Road
Reduce speed limits within village limits to 30 mph
Install flashing school warning lights at ELS
Increase visibility of Cumberland County Sheriffís Department
Create ìno truck engine braking zoneî within village limits
Change School Street to either a ìDead Endî or ìOne Wayî
Create a 90-degree turn at the intersection of School St. and Rte. 114
The promotion of business, recreation, and tourism plus improvements of all the related infrastructure and enhancement to make Sebago Lake Village a more attractive and livable place.
This plan includes recommendations to:
Approve Johnson Field as the Mountain Division Trailhead
Welcome signs and Information Center
After school recreation, swimming and picnic areas, boat slips, and volleyball court
Alternative trails and walkways to the village center from residential area
Negotiate with PWD for:
Village/Train Museum
Scenic vista of Sebago Lake
Community Parking Lot(s)
Public Restrooms
Businesses and Community - Form a ìvillage associationî
Long Term Improvements:
Sewer Lines- perhaps following the rail bed
In November of 2000, the Standish Public Safety Committee (PSC) became aware of safety issues relating to Rte. 114 and the intersection with Route 35, Sebago Lake Village. Shortly thereafter, we learned of the Maine Department of Transportationís (MDOT) proposed road improvements to Rte. 114 and two other projects that would also impact the intersection ñ MDOTís proposed Mountain Division Trail and possible park improvements to the Standish Boat Launch area.
In June of this year, the Safe Community Coalition (SCC) invited local, county and state officials to inform the public of the proposed improvements and to hear their concerns. Following the public forums, a working group was organized, as mandated by the Safe Communities Grant Application in January 2001, to create an overall plan for Sebago Lake Village that would prepare the village for the changes.
The single most important thing we learned from the public forums is that we need to be involved in the planning process and have a plan on file with Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) in Augusta. If not, we risk MDOT determining the roadway design and future of the village.
Our goal was to create a plan within six months, beginning in July 2001, and to form a consensus with most, if not all, agreeing to the plan. More than sixty local, county and state officials and community members participated in creating this plan. Members of the Standish Economic Development Committee were also active participants and worked in support of the interests of local businesses.
Our Mission: To create a plan for updating and revitalizing Sebago Lake Village that enhances the historic and rural character of the village while also accommodating present and future needs and safety of pedestrians, residents, businesses, and motorists.
The PSC and SCC also became active participants in two regional committees whose work impacts Sebago Lake Village. These two committees are the regional Route 114 Corridor Committee and the Mountain Division Trail Working Group. Once again, our goal has been to keep Standishís safety issues in the forefront. As of this writing, we have won support from the Rte. 114 Corridor Committee for placing a high priority on the intersection improvements, and MDOT Commissioner Melrose has agreed (A1-1) to a sidewalk connecting the trail to the village as well as fast tracking Rte. 35 improvements to include the intersection.
Sebago Lake Village is at a crossroad in its history. The residents and businesses have mixed feelings about the regional growth that has increased the demands on the intersection. Commuter traffic to Portland, motorists accessing Rte. 302 Business District and the summer tourist traffic have placed a heavy burden on the present four way stop. MDOT 2000 traffic counts confirm that 7,780 autos per day travel on Rte. 35 and 7,940 autos travel on Rte. 114 through the intersection. This has been an average increase in traffic of 26.2% since 1995. Section 6 (A6-1)
Also, MDOT considers 8 or more reportable crashes (over $1,000 damage) over a 3-year period a high accident location. According to Cumberland Country Sheriffís Department (Section 6, A6-2), Sebago Lake Village has had a total of 32 crashes during 1999-2001. This is four times the high accident rate. Accidents caused by speeding and aggressive driving are twice the regional average. (Section 6, A6-4)
On one hand, the addition of a walking/hiking trail, the proposed improvements to Rte. 114 and the boat launch area are quite exciting. The possibility of Rte. 114 gaining recognition as a ìscenic highwayî will also invite tourists to the village. On the other hand, the likelihood of more traffic is intimidating and creates concern for safety issues at an already precarious and outdated 4-way stop. This is the reason the number one priority of this plan is the rehabilitation of the intersection of Rte. 114 and 35.
The economic challenges are also great. We determined early on in this process that without the businesses, there would be no village. We also recognized that the future of the village is dependent on the goals of the Portland Water District (PWD) to control the Lakeís watershed. The village has suffered many losses during its history. There continues to be a lot of resentment towards the Portland Water District (PWD) for razing antique homes and other historic sites. The prospect of losing the boat launch may deepen the sense of loss leaving residents and businesses feeling victimized.
The renewed spirit of cooperation between the Portland Water District and the town of Standish can only improve the prospects for Sebago Lake Village. The Councilís Resolution (A1-2) to move the boat launch came so late in our planning process that weíve had too little time to prepare well-thought out recommendations to include in this plan.
In the year 2000, PWD reported that 2,656 boats (A1-3) accessed Sebago Lake using the Standish Boat Launch. This represents an estimated 5,000 potential customers for the local businesses. Loss of this traffic could results in $20,000-40,000 of lost revenue to the businesses. (A1-4) Walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers would likely replace some of the customers lost by moving the boat launch. Businesses would need to adapt to a new type of customer who would require healthy food options and other services such as bicycle repairs, sales and rentals. The question is, can the businesses survive the transition?
If, in the end, it is decided that moving the boat launch is in the best interest of the town of Standish, there are several things that the Council can negotiate with PWD that will help ease the transition. One, the Town Officials can help restore some of the history lost by negotiating with the PWD to fund, through Grants or other means, a Sebago Lake Station Railroad Museum as well as recreational improvements, both active and passive, to the former boat launch area. A gazebo for local band concerts, wadding pool or play fountain for children, nature walking trails, and adequate parking will help restore some of the recreational use lost by the boat launch. Also, keeping the lake accessible to snowmobiling and ice fishing is critical. Correcting and redrawing the watershed (Section 5,A5-7) protection
area to its actual location will make these improvements possible while still serving the interests of both the PWD and the town of Standish.
This committee believes that this report outlines a plan that, when acted upon, will assure that Sebago Lake Village is safer, economically sound, and prepared for future growth. The villagers who came together to work on this plan share a renewed community spirit and a commitment to working together to that end.
This report also contains most of the ingredients necessary to apply for federal and private grants. Actions taken by the Maine Legislature and the Portland Water District, which were beyond the control of the town of Standish and the village, make it (the village) an excellent candidate for a rehabilitation and restoration grant. Please donít let this opportunity pass by. Engage GPCOG or other grant writing services and explore these opportunities. An estimated 430 hours of volunteer community participation created this plan ñ this alone is reason enough to pursue funding.
Your support of this plan will ensure that the Sebago Lake Village Community, and Standish as a whole, grows prosperously into the next century. When you ìliftî one village in Standish, you ultimately lift them all.
Respectfully Submitted by
Patricia A. Price, Coordinator
Safe Community Coalition
The following state county, and town officials as well as community members attended at least one meeting and made significant contributions to the final plan.
Councilors:
Dolly Lymburner, Chair; Gene Nesbitt; Gerry Spencer; Terri Christie; Larry Simpson
Public Safety Committee:
Gene Nesbitt, Chair; Dolly Lymburner; Kathy Walker; Mary Brookings; Wesley Fox
Safe Community Coalition:
Pat Price, Coordinator
Planning Board:
Paul Mosely; Steve Wentworth Town Planner
Bud Benson
Public Works Department
Roger Mosely
Standish Recreation
Linda Brooks
SBA Economic Development Committee:
Ron Bognore, Chair; Pat Price, Vice Chair; Gene Nesbitt; Steve Higgins; Luella Dix
State Representative:
Sue Hawes
Cumberland Country Sheriffs:
Capt. William Holmes; Lt. Robert Walsh; Sgt. Donald Foss; Sgt. Thomas Williams
Town Manager:
Gordon Billington
MDOT (Div. #6):
Randy Dunton, Traffic Engineer
Sebago Lake Congregational Church:
Paul R. Irish
Business Owners:
TJ Davis, TJís Sandwich Shop; Mike Walker, Walkers Auto Repair; Vincent & Audra Plummer, Plummers Service Station; Rob & Brenda Walker, Korner Knitters; Bill and Jeanette Lavigne, Lavigneís Excacavating
Residents:
Deborah Brokofsky, Elizabeth Perry, Anna Barry, Linda Smith, Judy Thompson, Linda Sellick, Sandra Boutin, Griselda Demassey, Jodie Sheehan, John Polito, Richard Jenkins, Helen Rogers, Jin Keenan, Ros L. Cox, Susan Norton, Frank & Mary Larrabee, Joline Hachey, Christopher le Pointe, Phyllis Kent, Frank Capece, Armand & Janet Dupuis, Michelle Rowe, Joan Wright, Claire Drew, Robert Logan, Hugo & Gloria Komulainen, Robert Senter
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