The Glens Falls Board of Public Safety voted Sept. 10 to allow temporary no‑parking signs on portions of Webster Avenue for the city’s Balloon Festival and agreed to publicize and consider longer-term parking changes after residents raised safety concerns.

Lieutenant Padone of the police department told the board officers had received two to three complaints that parked cars on Webster’s narrow sections were obstructing travel and could impede emergency vehicles. “If you park 1 car on the side of the road, it obstructs more than half the lane,” Padone said when asked about the photos he provided to the board.

The temporary restriction covers the north side of Webster Avenue from Bay Street up to Edison and the south side from Bay Street to the cemetery for the Balloon Festival on Sept. 18, with no‑parking signs and cones to be placed before the event. A board member urged the city to publicize the restriction “as public as humanly possible” so out‑of‑town visitors will be aware.

Why it matters: Board members and police said Webster Avenue’s narrowed profile after recent road work makes parking on both sides a hazard during peak events; residents previously objected to changes on Webster and had asked for more notice before decisions.

Board action and follow-up: The board passed a motion to permit temporary no‑parking for the festival and directed staff to make public notice and have the Department of Public Works place signs and cones. The mayor also said the issue will be placed on the next Board of Public Safety agenda so the public can comment on whether to make permanent parking changes along the cemetery side of Webster.

Clarifying details: Lieutenant Padone said he photographed situations where a parked vehicle would have blocked most of the lane and reported about two to three complaints; the board agreed to consider restricting parking on the cemetery (southeast) side to reduce risk to through traffic and emergency response.

Ending: Officials said the temporary signs for the festival would be placed in advance and that the city will add the topic to the next meeting with public notice so residents can comment on any permanent changes.