Committee backs drafting winter parking ordinance; traffic commission seeks citywide authority for 25 mph zones

The Gardner Public Safety Committee on Sept. 11 voted to ask staff to draft an ordinance implementing a traffic commission recommendation that would make January and February a hard no‑parking period and use the existing Code Red system outside those months. The traffic commission told the committee it favors a hybrid model that begins with two months — January and February — because those months typically see more snow and would ease plowing.

Councilor Brooks moved and Councilor Hardin seconded the motion to draft the ordinance and schedule a public hearing one hour before a regular council meeting; the committee approved the motion by voice vote. “It forces people to figure out where they're gonna put their car in the winter,” a supporter said during debate. Committee members noted the change will inconvenience some residents but said clearing roads quickly during heavy snow is a higher priority for safety and DPW efficiency.

Separately, the committee discussed a traffic commission proposal to adopt Massachusetts General Laws chapter 90, section 17C to allow the city to set 25‑mph zones in thickly settled or business districts and to maintain a local list of streets rather than petitioning the state for each change. Committee members asked staff to verify a September 2021 council vote that appeared to give the traffic commission authority and to determine whether the city clerk or another office must notify MassDOT or the appropriate state office. No final vote on the 25‑mph provision occurred; committee members requested more time and background before drafting ordinances for specialty speed zones.

The committee carried the motion to proceed with drafting the winter‑parking ordinance and to schedule a public hearing; no changes to speed limits were adopted at the Sept. 11 meeting.