Dear Editor:

As a summer resident of Boothbay Harbor for soon to be 11 seasons, I have come to admire both the level of participation in local government by voting residents and, in general, the frugal approach in running the local governments in the area.

I am quite surprised that such an expensive project (Boothbay roundabout) is being considered, first, because we have never encountered what I would consider congested traffic in the area around the common. However, I'll defer to the residents that entering onto Route 27 may be a problem at times. Second, and I think more importantly, the proposed roundabout is the most expensive solution available and probably overkill.

Has the use of synchronized traffic lights/signals be considered? I would expect (having some experience with road construction) that the cost would be only a fraction of the cost of construction needed to build a roundabout. Two synchronized lights could be placed where Corey Lane and Back River Road meet Route 27. They could include crossing buttons for pedestrians and only be activated when traffic is waiting to enter onto Route 27. Pedestrians crossing in the vicinity of a roundabout is very dangerous.

It would seem to me that traffic lights would be a safer and less expensive solution.

Joe Mair

Sprucewold