FARMINGTON — Selectmen have agreed to continue exploring a new state program that could pay to make downtown crosswalks safer for pedestrians.

Town Manager Erica LaCroix and Public Works Director Phil Hutchins briefed the board Tuesday on a viewing of the downtown Nov. 14 by Maine Department of Transportation and town officials.

A barrier blocks a parking space Wednesday in front of Dunkin’ on Main Street in Farmington. The barrier was placed after a pedestrian was killed there Nov. 4. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

It was prompted by the death of Robert J. Leso of Chesterville while trying to cross Main Street by Dunkin’ and the Farmington Post Office on Nov. 4. Since then, the town has blocked the parking space on either side of the road to improve visibility.

Five MDOT representatives, Police Chief Kenneth Charles, Farmington Fire Rescue Chief Tim “TD” Hardy, Hutchins, Public Works Foreman Jim Kiernan and LaCroix were present. Recommendations from the inspection include:

• Adding curb extensions, or bump outs, to reduce distance/time for pedestrians in the street and improve visibility.

• Changing the crossing to a right angle.

• Raising the crossing to encourage lower speeds and elevate the pedestrian, creating better visibility.

LaCroix said the subject was raised at a recent meeting of the Downtown TIF Advisory Committee, which considers possible projects that could be developed using the Downtown Municipal Tax Increment Financing District and Downtown Omnibus Development Program.

“There are some options that we could do there that aren’t going to cost a ton of money,” she said.

The Village Partnership Initiative, a fairly new state program, will provide matching funds, LaCroix said.

The money would enable visibility and safety improvements, LaCroix said.

Hutchins said state officials mentioned the Village Partnership Initiative, which is similar to the MDOT’s Municipal Partnership Initiative. The latter is a streamlined program to address municipal requests that deal with transportation infrastructure issues on state and state-aid highways, encourage economic opportunities and make improvements to infrastructure to increase its life or correct safety deficiencies.

“This qualifies for downtowns, for historical villages, so there is a lot of money in the pot,” Hutchins said.

The Village Partnership Initiative will cover where the Municipal Partnership Initiative ends at South Street, will continue from Front Street all the way to Box Shop Hill, he said. The program is for economic enhancements, pedestrian and bicyclist safety. New sidewalks and better lighting are possible projects, he said.

“Since there are not many communities applying for (the Village Partnership Initiative), we were encouraged to apply for it. This will cover Main Street and Broadway, all of the downtown,” Hutchins said.

This area of Main Street, seen Wednesday near The Pierce House, right, is being considered for a crosswalk. Town and state officials are collaborating on improvements to make the downtown safer for pedestrians. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

Chairperson Joshua Bell asked if moving the crosswalk from Dunkin’ closer to The Pierce House and Franklin Savings Bank where there is parallel parking. “If on the north side, closer to the Post Office, there would be a whole driveway space, a lot of visibility there,” he said. “On the other side there is just parallel parking. It would involve moving lights.”

People would have to walk a half block down, Selectman Dennis O’Neil said.

Bell said the crosswalk provides less visibility headed south with diagonal parking.

He said that according to Farmington attorney Paul Mills the last pedestrian fatality, before this month, was in 1937.

LaCroix said state officials agreed that moving the crosswalk would create more problems than it solved. Expanding the sidewalk farther into the street would address the diagonal parking issue, she said.

LaCroix suggested a meeting with stakeholders to hear their concerns and preferences.

“My focus is all about safety,” she said.

“At least with the grant money it makes sense,” Staples said. “No matter what we do it makes sense for us to go forward and at least investigate it further.”