logo Public Safety
and Accessibility
Collaborative (PSAC)

About PSAC

PSAC was created in 2019 as a volunteer research and advocacy group primarily looking into matters of concern related to pedestrian and bicycle safety and infrastructure. More recently, the areas of concern have expanded. PSAC operates (either by monthly Zoom or in-person meetings) by bringing matters and suggested solutions to the attention of the Town Select Boards and Planning Boards. Our members have made important contributions to the development of the ten-year 2025 Damariscotta Comprehensive Plan.

Included Towns

Damariscotta and Newcastle are villages in Mid Coast Maine with populations of 2300 and 1800, respectively. During the summer months, Damariscotta in particular has a significant additional population of summer visitors, and furthermore, operates as a service center for the region including the entire 15-mile long Pemaquid Peninsula and its towns. The twin villages are connected by a bridge crossing the Damariscotta River.

The work and contributions of PSAC were initially focused on Damariscotta, but from 2024 onwards have also embraced the needs of Newcastle, and Nobleboro.

General Overarching Areas of Concern

Pedestrian infrastructure (sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian trails)

Bicycle infrastructure (bicycle racks, bicycle paths, bicycle trails, Shoulders on roadways)

Public Transportation

Climate Resiliency

ADA compatibility

Health aspects of walking and cycling

Sidewalk Design and Trees

National Trends

Recreation and pedestrian water access

Comprehensive Plan elements implementation

Specific Current Focus Items (incl PSAC Leads)

PSAC is currently pursuing a portfolio of over a dozen projects, mostly in Damariscotta at this stage, summarized below:

*
Hodgdon/Church Street Improvements
PSAC Lead Marilee Harris
*
Castner Brook Bridge
PSAC Lead Steven Hufnagel
*
School Street/Route 1B intersection safety
PSAC Lead Derek Webber
*
Bi-Mode Path from Hannaford to GSB School
PSAC Lead Anton Lahnston
*
Biking Initiatives and Infrastructure
PSAC Leads Katie Huntington, etc
*
ADA Compliance and Safety, including ADA-Accessible Dock
PSAC Leads Jim Kutsch and Anton Lahnston
*
Miles Road Sidewalk Completion
PSAC Lead Anton Lahnston
*
Damariscotta Sidewalk Backbone on Route 1B, Main Street
PSAC Lead Derek Webber
*
Public Transportation
PSAC Lead Lisa Hagen
*
Belvedere/Route 1 Rotary – Ped and Bike crossing elements
PSAC Lead Derek Webber
*
Walking and Bike Trails Development
PSAC Leads Katie Huntington and Marilee Harris
*
Sidewalk Design Elements and “Complete Streets”
PSAC Lead Derek Webber
*
Bristol/Main Street/Church Street Intersection
PSAC Lead Marilee Harris
Damariscotta

Press

PSAC provides articles in Lincoln County News via the “Sole and Tread” column. Below is the list of the published Sole and Tread articles in 2024:

Members

Current active membership, and affiliations, of PSAC includes:

  • Anton Lahnston (Co-Chair/Co-Founder)
  • Derek Webber (Co-Chair)
  • Jean Moon (Tidemark Institute/Co-Founder)
  • Jim Kutsch (President and CEO, The Seeing Eye [retired])
  • Marilee Harris (Damariscotta Baptist Church and Stepping Stones Housing)
  • Steven Hufnagel (Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust)
  • Katie Huntington (Bike commuter and recreational cyclist)
  • Lisa Hagen (Chamber of Commerce, retired)
  • Adriana DePalma (Maine Health at Lincoln Hospital)
  • Kristina Verney (Maine Health at Lincoln Hospital)
  • Laura Graziano (Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission)
  • Brynne Whitney (Bangor Savings Bank)
  • Joan Ray (Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust)
  • Janet Yates (Medical, Cycling)
  • Cal Yates (Medical, Cycling)
  • Damariscotta and Newcastle Town Planner Michael Martone

Contact

Please contact us with any queries at [email protected]