The installation of new crosswalks and signs at two locations in Panama were discussed during the village’s monthly meeting. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

PANAMA — The installation of a few crosswalk signs has begun in the village of Panama, following a request from the state.

Mayor William Schneider reported during the village’s November meeting that some of the signs have been put up, but that there are still a few more to go.

“Most of the crosswalk signs are up now, except I think they’ve got one more to put up, but they were doing some pretty deep digging with the natural gas folks,” Schneider said. “So, I’m not quite sure what’s going on with that, but the one so that when you’re coming down the hill they’ve got this one here but they have to do one on the other side as well yet.”

The crosswalk signs are being set by Hyde Park and on School Street and had just been installed during the week of the meeting. Schneider also acknowledged that the state asked the village to put the signs up along with the installation of the crosswalks themselves.

“The state wanted crosswalks at Hyde Park and School Street, and with that comes the responsibility of the village to also post signage that that’s there,” Schneider said.

Village Trustee Kim Ecklund asked about putting a blinker in place like a yellow caution light next to the one by the school.

“I’m not going to lie, I’ve gone through there and I forget that that’s there,” Ecklund said. “Like if someone was getting ready to leave Hyde Park and I’m thinking they’ve got to wait for me and I’ve gone through and it’s like oops. They weren’t on the crosswalk, but they could’ve been, if you know what I mean.”

Schneider said a blinker, even temporarily, would be another sign to set up and something that they should have discussed before the signs went up, adding that for now they will see how it goes. It was also acknowledged by the board that in newer cars there will be a notice that a crosswalk is coming up.