Kennebunk’s own Roy Coburn and his bicycle team, Team Type 2, finished Race Across America June 20, missing their original June 19 goal by a few hours.

The team took part in the national 3,000-mile race, called the toughest bike race in the world, and finished in approximately eight days.

Coburn said his team had to battle rain, wind and even a freezing 27-degree night.

Coburn and the rest of Team Type 2 are all diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a kind of diabetes that doesn’t normally affect a person until later in life, but still allows them to produce some insulin.

Board questions bump-out design

Kennebunk’s downtown revitalization project has hit a few roadblocks as it progresses up Main Street.

The most recent problem discussed during the June 22 selectmen’s meeting were “bump-outs,” portions of sidewalks that extend into the travel lanes.

“I though it was going to be like the bump outs I’ve seen in Washington D.C. where they come flat to the road. I didn’t think they would be as obtrusive as they are. The first time I saw them I thought ‘holy crap,’” Selectman Deb Beale said.

Several selectmen reported complaints from residents about the traffic calming bump-outs.

“Everything looks great on paper,” Selectman Bob Higgins said. “If experts are doing such a great job why are we having all these problems on Main Street? I’m concerned about the bump outs on either side of the street.”

Selectmen said problems are especially apparent at the Grove and Main street intersection. The yellow lines have been painted a foot and a half too far off the middle mark, making for a tight turn.

Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said the problem will be addressed by repainting the lines in the next few weeks.

Tibbetts said bump-outs could be narrowed by 18 inches to two feet, but did not provide cost estimates for the fix.

“It’s not as simple as pulling out the ends, cutting some granite off and putting it back,” said Selectman Al Searles.

Selectmen are concerned the same issue will be repeated as more bump-outs are installed.

Tibbetts cautioned selectmen that reducing the bump-outs may undermine their function.

“The whole idea when we hired (consulting firm) EG&G and went through the process was to change the downtown look and design for a pedestrian friendly and pedestrian safe area,” Tibbetts said.

Selectman Dave Spofford pointed out there are no street lights in the downtown currently and it makes it hard to see the structures, which poses a traffic hazard.

Town Engineer Chris Osterrieder said new lampposts will be installed as soon as there are delivered, which he expects in the next six weeks.

Selectmen decided to continue with the project as designed.

Other issues complicating the extensive redesign of Main Street have been a gas tank found in front of Perfectos that needed Department of Environmental Protection supervision to clear out and trees considered substandard that were planted and then replaced.

Osterrieder said, despite all the snags, the revitalization project is two weeks ahead of schedule and likely will be completed next spring.

Selectmen fund business lender

Kennebunk selectmen awarded $25,000 to fund a new venture administered by the Kennebunk Economic Development Corporation.

The corporation’s mission is to help businesses in Kennebunk grow.

It will use the money as a revolving loan fund to support local businesses.

Corporation President Robert Georgitis said the fund does not have any other assets to invest in local businesses but hopes the donation will make banks more comfortable about contributing.

According to Georgitis, the hope is banks will donate a matching $25,000 to help new businesses as a way to attract new clients.

He said the committee will not give out large amounts of money, but will consider small loans to help with unexpected expenses a business might not be able to finance.

The loans will be paid back over 10 years at a minimal interest rate. The corporation will use the interest to pay overhead.

Georgitis said one reason the corporation was started was so business owners’ names could be kept private. If the revolving loan was run through the town, all documents would be available for public access.

The committee is working with Saco and Biddeford, which has already set up a revolving loan fund for businesses in that area.

–Compiled by Suzanne Hodgson