WOODSTOCK – Selectmen are considering installing flashing lights at the bottom of Merrifield Hill to help control the speed of vehicles entering Bryant Pond Village.

Town Manager Vern Maxfield said at Tuesday’s selectmen’s meeting that he has spoken with a representative of the Maine Department of Transportation, and was told the state will install the light if the town absorbs the cost.

“The DOT will go along with a blinking light at the bottom of Merrifield Hill if we pay for it,” said Maxfield, “and we can include the issue on the warrant for a special town meeting if you want.”

Selectmen indicated they thought a light would help slow traffic, and that they would like to see the issue put before a town meeting to get public input.

Maxfield said the light would operate only when vehicles approach the bottom of the hill at a speed above the posted 30 mph limit.

“It would not be blinking all the time but would come on when vehicles approach the bottom of the hill and are going too fast for the corner at the intersection of Rumford Avenue,” he said.

Asked by Selectman Leon Poland about the cost to the town, Maxfield said he was quoted a price of $7,000.

“I have seen a light like that in Bridgton and I think it makes people think when they see it come on and slow down. I feel it would work well there, too,” said Poland.

The rest of the board agreed.

The issue is not a new issue with the people who live and work in Bryant Pond Village. Merrifield Hill, a steep incline on Route 26 leading into the village, has been the scene of many traffic accidents over the years, and there is special concern for school buses exiting and entering Rumford Avenue.

At the intersection of Rumford Avenue and Route 26 there is a sharp turn that gives turning vehicles only a short sight distance.

A special town meeting is tentatively scheduled for the first Tuesday in August, but a final decision, with an official date and time, will not be made until the next selectmen’s meeting on July 20.