PARIS – The speed limit on Deering Street may be reduced to 15 miles per hour at the request of residents concerned for their safety.

The current 25 mph limit on the street makes drivers think they can cruise through the neighborhood at 30 or 35 mph, Bruce Foster of 7 Deering St. told the Paris Board of Selectmen on Monday. He handed over a petition signed by residents who want the speed limit on the street lowered.

“Pardon the expression, there’s a large number of yahoos,” Foster said, speaking of many Deering Street drivers. Few pay attention to the speed limit at all, he said.

Selectman Gerald Kilgore at first protested the change. “At 15 miles per hour, you might just as well, kind of get out and walk,” he said.

Foster’s wife, Betty Foster, said she has in the past been told there were not enough children in the neighborhood to warrant the slower speed limit.

“I have, quite frankly, put up with this for as long as I can, because every child on the street is at risk,” she said, insisting the limit be lowered.

Bruce Foster said at least 12 children live on the end of the street near their home.

Selectmen Vice Chairman Bruce Hanson, leading the meeting in the absence of Chairman Bill Merrill, agreed that “when you’ve posted 25, people feel safe doing 30.”

He said he supported the Fosters’ request for the change in speed limit.

Paris Police Chief David Verrier agreed that the speed limit could be lowered. He also suggested changing the speed limit on Prospect Avenue between High Street and Nichols Street to 25 mph, due to several complaints.

The board voted 4-0 to change the speed limits on both streets. Members Barbara Payne and Raymond Glover were present.

In other business, the board briefly discussed a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant that would be used to help businesses create more jobs in the Oxford Hills community. A public hearing was held to allow for comment on the grant, which would be administered by the town of Paris with the Growth Council of Oxford Hills.

No members of the public were in the audience for the hearing.

Board members said they are still waiting to see the formal contract that is to be signed by the town and the growth council before the grant is accepted.