Waterville Police Chief Joe Massey and Jennifer Olsen, executive director of Waterville Main Street, joined forces to purchase a radar speed sign that is designed to refocus driver attention on their speed, according to a news release from the Waterville Police Department. Radar speed signs effectively slow cars down by making drivers aware of when they are driving at unsafe speeds, according to the release. For both Waterville Main Street, which tries to enhance the shopping experience and pedestrian safety for those who visit downtown, and the Waterville Police Department, traffic safety is a high priority.

Because Waterville is a service center, motor vehicle traffic increases dramatically during the day as drivers come in to work, shop, dine and visit many of the attractions the city offers, according to the release. The radar speed sign will first be deployed at Post Office Square on Main Street. This will allow drivers entering lower Main Street an opportunity to see their vehicle speed electronically displayed by flashing lights on the display screen. The sign will be deployed throughout the city to monitor traffic. The sign has the capability of collecting data such as, traffic count, vehicle speed, and average speeds of vehicles. This will help identify streets where speeding is problematic and provide a level of traffic enforcement to slow drivers down.

From left, are Officer Damon Lefferts, Police Chief Joe Massey, June L’Heureux, office manager, Waterville Main Street; and Officer Chase Fabian. Contributed photo

The $3,100 sign was purchased through a WalMart Community grant ($2,000) that was submitted by Officer Damon Lefferts. The remainder of the cost ($1,100) was provided by Waterville Main Street through its Healthy Main Streets initiative, according to the release.