logo Public Safety
and Accessibility
Collaborative (PSAC)
New Leadership, New Process

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, Nobleboro, and the local region.

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

Under the new leadership, it is expected that there will be a new focus and allocation of responsibilities, but the following represents the portfolio that was being pursued by PSAC during the first half of 2025. PSAC is currently pursuing a portfolio of over a dozen projects, mostly in Damariscotta at this stage, summarized below. The focus is moving to include Newcastle projects within the mix.

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Hodgdon/Church Street Improvements
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Castner Brook Bridge
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School Street/Route 1B intersection safety
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Bi-Mode Path from Hannaford to GSB School
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Biking Initiatives and Infrastructure
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ADA Compliance and Safety, including ADA-Accessible Dock
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Miles Road Sidewalk Completion
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Damariscotta Sidewalk Backbone on Route 1B, Main Street
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Public Transportation
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Walking and Bike Trails Development
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Sidewalk Design Elements and “Complete Streets”
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Bristol/Main Street/Church Street Intersection
Damariscotta

Members

Current active membership, and affiliations, of PSAC includes:

  • Marilee Harris (Co-Chair, Damariscotta Baptist Church and Stepping Stones Housing)
  • Katie Huntington (Co-Chair, Bike commuter and recreational cyclist)
  • Jim Kutsch (President and Ceo, The Seeing Eye [retired])
  • Steven Hufnagel (Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust)
  • Cal Yates (Medical, Cycling)
  • Janet Yates (Medical, Cycling)
  • Michael Martone (Town Planner – Damariscotta and Newcastle)
  • Lisa Hagen (Chamber of Commerce [retired])
  • Curtis Brown (Lincoln County Regional Planning)
  • Ayesha (Student Representative from Lincoln Academy)
  • Laura Graziano (Lincoln County Regional Planning)
  • Kristina Verney (Maine Health at Lincoln Hospital)
  • Brynne Whitney (Bangor Savings Bank)
  • Joan Ray (Coastal Rivers)
  • Anton Lahnston (Founder and former co-chair)
  • Derek Webber (Former co-chair)

Future Meeting Dates

In September 2025, a new process was introduced by the new PSAC leadership, which involves quarterly meetings and “Sole and Tread” updates. The future dates (2025 and 2026) for the PSAC meeting participation and associated “Sole and Tread” status update article will be:

  • December 4th, 2025
  • March 5th, 2026
  • June 4th, 2026

Contact

Please contact us with any queries at [email protected]