Gray Town Council work on plans for Libby Hill Road and North Raymond Road - By Tracy Scheckel

Due to the Veterans’ Day holiday on Tuesday, the Gray Town Council met on Monday. With Councilor Matt Sturgis excused due to a previous commitment, vice chair Mancini conducted the meeting.
 

Members of Caring Community of Gray and New Gloucester were invited to speak at the meeting. Coordinators, Kathy George, Christina Foster and Liz Gill share information about the program which assists Gray and New Gloucester families in need during the holidays. Families in need can fill out an application available at the two town halls and libraries for Christmas assistance. The Thanksgiving applications are already being processed. The women emphasized the need for sponsors who are willing to adopt a family, and the importance of broad community support of donations. The Annual Day of Giving is scheduled for December 14 at Spring Meadows and provides critical support for the Christmas efforts of the organization. Anyone seeking more information can contact Kathy George either by phone at 657-5659 or by visiting the Gray Public Library where she is the children’s librarian.

The Town of Gray contributed to a Maine DOT corridor study of Route 26 from the Route 26A north to Weymouth Road. Tom Errico of TY Lin Engineers presented the highlights of the completed report with the assistance of Ed Hanscom of MDOT. The report indicated that regardless of any future development, the intersections at Libby Hill Road and North Raymond Road need to be addressed. At Libby Hill the recommendation is to upgrade the existing traffic signal and to realign the left and right turn lanes from Libby Hill Road and the Hannaford parking lot. At North Raymond Road, the installation of a signal along with the addition of dedicated turn lanes is among the recommendations which also include an option to align North Raymond Road with Weymouth Road. 

Hanscom reported that the results of the study have placed this project as a high priority with MDOT and that it qualifies for funding from the Mobility Fund. The proposed budget to complete work at both intersections is approximately $855,000. Hanscom noted that although construction funds would not be available until the 2017 fiscal year, engineering could begin in the 2015/2016 fiscal year. 

The report also indicated that should the town decide to rezone and further develop the corridor, further improvements would be needed depending on the intensity of the development. 

Finally, the council approved the nominations of 12 former citizens to the Gray Honor Roll which was established in 2011. The Honor Roll was founded to recognize persons who demonstrated exceptional dedication, service or other contributions to the Town of Gray. This year’s honorees were Jon E. Barton, Annie Mae Beck, Nancy O. Breton, Mildred C. Dunphe, Evelyn Durgin, Rev. Eleanor Forbes, Bessie M. Libby, Susan “Susie” Caroline Libby, Mary S. Mayall, Helen Isabel Merrill, George W. Newbegin and Agnes Shiepe Forsley.

The Council meets next on November 18.