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Select Board schedules public hearing for winter parking ordinance, debates towing language
Summary
Board members agreed to post a winter parking ordinance and scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 7 at 5 p.m.; members debated whether vehicles should be ticketed, towed immediately or only after attempts to contact owners and said police and town counsel will be consulted on enforcement procedures.
The Brookfield Select Board agreed to clean up a draft winter parking ordinance and schedule a public hearing for Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. to solicit comment. The draft would prohibit parking on town roads, rights-of-way and deeded town turnarounds from Dec. 1 through March 31.
Board members debated penalties and enforcement language. One member recommended language stating vehicles in violation "may be towed at the owner's expense" rather than offering both "ticketing or towing." Another member argued against requiring attempts to contact vehicle owners in the ordinance, saying that including a contact-procedure in the ordinance could prompt disputes that claim the town failed to follow it.
Members asked town counsel to review the draft and asked the police chief to confirm enforcement procedures and authority to arrange tows. The board discussed public notification plans including signage on major roads, a mailed notice in December tax bills and a notice on the town website.
Board members also asked staff to clarify the meaning of "right of way" in the ordinance (centerline plus a set number of feet on each side or specific deeded turnarounds) and to include town-owned turnarounds where parking is prohibited. No final ordinance vote occurred; the public hearing will provide an opportunity for further edits and formal adoption.
