Contacts (municipal officials): Amy Haile (ahaile@northyarmouth.org) & Diane Barnes (dbarnes@northyarmouth.org)
Joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities: 2016-12-12
Structure: Town-appointed volunteer committee with appointed liaison
Highlight of 2023: Implementing a traffic calming project that resulted in physical changes to traffic patterns and increased traffic signals - all town funded. With each budget cycle, this continue.
Living Well in North Yarmouth's Initiatives and Accomplishments:
Civic Participation and Employment
Candidate events
Communication and Information
Produced a community newsletter
Community Supports and Health Services
Collaborated with FireRescue Dept. to check in with vulnerable people during the pandemic
Worked with Fire Department to fund and implement Knox Box program
Housing
We have advocated for housing suitable for all stages of life
Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings
Advocated successfully to iIncreased accessibility at two local parks
Respect and Social Inclusion
Organized a program to welcome new residents - 1st Greeter
Social Participation
Annual Ice Cream socials
Annual Kite Festival
Transportation (including promotion of active transportation
Coordinated with town officials in traffic calming projects (including Kite in Sight, which built momentum for our work with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition of Maine and DOT.
Traffic Calming Demonstration Projects, North Yarmouth, Maine
We frequently hear that Age-Friendly Communities want to slow down speeding traffic, especially in their downtown area. This project in North Yarmouth was called “Kite in Sight” – done by the Living Well Committee. This was a type of gateway treatment where eye-catching signage, or art, in this case, is placed on every road that enters the center of town. The slogan was: “Kite in Sight Please Slow Down.”
That campaign in North Yarmouth was followed up with traffic calming demonstration projects – setting up crosswalks, using planters to narrow the travel lanes, and enhance crosswalk visibility.
The data collected before the demonstrations were in place showed that only 33% of the drivers obeyed the speed limit. After the demonstrations were set up, 80% of drivers adhered to the speed limit. This shows how simple traffic calming measures can make a big difference in how fast people drive.
