Police and select-board representatives discussed parking enforcement, visitor drop-off locations and recent changes that residents say have worsened pedestrian safety.
Chief Sean Warren told the commission that since the last meeting the department has issued 138 parking tickets and cited a mix of violations including 15-minute, two-hour and double-parking infractions. "Since our last meeting with you in June, the department has issued 138 parking tickets," Warren said.
Nut graf: Town officials said enforcement is largely left to officer discretion, the highway department has added two-hour signs downtown, and the select board aims to clarify where tour buses should drop off and park to reduce congestion and protect pedestrians.
Detail and context: Warren described a case-by-case approach to parking enforcement and said officers are spending more time on foot patrols downtown. He said changes to safety zones near crosswalks have removed some parking and prompted pushback from business employees who must relocate frequently. "I think the approach is is certainly varied depending on which officer is involved in whatever situation," he said.
Select board member Brian Deschase said he found a bus driver who had been dropping off at the Chamber of Commerce building and then parking in the Glendon Street lot. Deschase said tour buses should drop off at the Winniepah Station (the trolley stop) and park at Foss Field, which has four dedicated spaces. "So the buses should and the chamber gives the proper instructions to the bus companies but somehow it falls out along the way," Deschase said.
Safety concerns: Deschase and others said removing two parking spaces near crosswalks has, in some instances, led tractor-trailers to stop across crosswalks while unloading, forcing pedestrians to walk around vehicles. The select board intends to address that configuration in an upcoming meeting.
No formal motions were recorded on parking at this session; officials described ongoing education of drivers and business employees, added signage by the highway department and promotion of alternative transit such as the trolley to reduce downtown parking pressure.
Ending: Town leaders said they will continue outreach to bus operators, businesses and the public to improve parking flow and pedestrian safety downtown, and they urged residents to report specific problem occurrences to the police so officers can take immediate action.