Haverhill shortens winter parking season, approves temporary flex posts at dangerous intersection
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Summary
Acting on a public‑safety committee recommendation, the council shortened the winter parking ban window (now Dec. 15–Mar. 15) and approved a pilot deployment of flexible posts and updated pavement markings at the Amesbury Line Road/Merrimack Road intersection to improve sight lines and collect traffic data.
The council adopted two public safety measures forwarded from the Oct. 22 Public Safety Committee. First, the city will shift the winter parking ban start date to Dec. 15 and end it Mar. 15 (previous start Dec. 1, end Mar. 30), reducing the overall ban period; the council also approved adding a QR code in multiple languages on notices tied to enforcement so non‑English speakers can access information on tickets and policies. Committee members and department heads noted the mayor may still declare a snow emergency if needed outside the ban period.
Second, city engineer John Pettis summarized a consultant‑recommended pilot for the Amesbury Line Road and Merrimack Road intersection: install temporary flexible posts (flex posts) and new pavement markings to define lanes and improve sight lines. Pettis said the posts will be installed for about a month before winter to gather traffic data; the city may consider longer‑term solutions such as reconfiguration or a roundabout based on results and funding availability. Sergeant Kevin Lynch described increased enforcement and supported the low‑cost, data‑driven pilot.
The council voted to implement both committee recommendations. Leaders said the measures are intended as targeted, low‑cost interventions to improve safety and collect evidence for potential permanent changes.
