Council tables proposal to make Bellows Street one-way during school pickup; safety committee to study options

The council tabled a proposed ordinance that would make Bellows Street one-way westbound for about an hour on weekdays during St. Albans City School dismissal, and asked the Public Safety Committee to study alternatives.

Chip (city staff) explained the proposal was intended to reduce conflicts that occur when parents line up for student pickup and through traffic tries to pass in the opposite direction. City School Principal Stephanie Gannon and district staff described current staggered lane loading and bus operations: buses load at the rear on Calvary Street, the school runs a multi-lane staggered dismissal into the parking lot and staff set cones when lots fill.

Parents and residents testified that the present arrangement sometimes blocks adjacent driveways and creates safety concerns; a longtime Bellows Street resident told the council she has had to drive onto her lawn to exit during heavy dismissal. School staff said the current system has improved over the prior year but acknowledged afternoon dismissal remains the heavier challenge.

Council members asked technical questions about using the school’s loop and bus staging area more fully, enforcement capacity and whether short-term police or crossing-guard presence could address the problem. The council agreed to defer the ordinance and directed the Public Safety Committee to inspect the site, coordinate with the superintendent and principal, and bring recommendations to the council.

Why it matters: Bellows Street pickup affects schoolchildren, staff and nearby homeowners; council and school officials seek an operational solution that protects safety while minimizing disruption to residents.

What’s next: The Public Safety Committee will convene a site visit with school staff and city staff and report back to the council with options and an implementation timeline.