Wells Planning Board to draft letter to DOT over speed hump, questions DOT traffic methods

During "other business" on June 1, the Planning Board discussed a recently installed speed hump that members said created safety and operational problems. Board members said the hump sits near a crosswalk, complicates winter plowing and may have contributed to a recent accident. Several members also criticized DOT traffic‑count methods that rely on averages rather than peak summer conditions and suggested that peak traffic should inform design decisions in Wells.

Board members agreed to draft a letter to the Maine Department of Transportation raising the issues and requesting removal or reevaluation of the speed hump; they recommended circulating a draft to the public‑works director and other board members before sending it. Members also proposed inviting DOT staff to meet with the board as part of the outreach.

Next steps: board members will draft and edit a letter to DOT, solicit input from public works and schedule a follow‑up meeting to finalize the text and invite DOT for a discussion.