WEST PARIS – In an attempt to slow traffic on the Tuelltown Road, selectmen Thursday approved the purchase and installation of additional speed and warning signs. One of them will be on a sharp curve where a 7-year-old boy was killed this year.

The decision to increase the number and types of signs comes after residents in the area asked the board to improve safety in the area. They said there have been many accidents there over the past few years and something should be done to slow traffic.

Road Commissioner Bill Keach said he would order and install warning signs for the curve where the boy was killed if selectmen approved.

“I found that we can get dangerous curve ahead’ signs for $50 each with an additional $30 for the posts,” he said, “and my crew could install them for the cost of labor.”

He estimated the total cost at about $300.

He said he would also install more 35 mph speed limit signs starting at the Morse Hill Road intersection.

The board voted unanimously for the project.

“I think this is the best we can do right now, and I hope the additional signs will help,” Chairman Wade Rainey said. “We’ll see how it goes after the signs are in place and revisit the issue later if we have to.”

The signs will be installed as soon as they arrive and be paid from the highways and bridges account.

Selectmen also approved a request by Keach to rent a brush mower the last week of September to cut bushes along Forbes and Porter roads. The cost is $1,850 and will be paid from the highway and bridges account.

The unit will be rented from Fairfield Equipment of Skowhegan.

“I rented the same type of mower last year and it was well worth the costs,” he said.

The board announced it will hold a special meeting Thursday, Aug. 19, to set the annual tax rate, commit taxes and prepare the warrant for a special town meeting Aug. 26.

“Hopefully we can get the tax issue completed at next week’s special meeting,” Rainey said, “but we won’t be absolutely sure until we finish a few last-minute tasks in the next few days. But I think we should be able to be ready by then.”