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Select Board moves winter parking ban start from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1 after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and presentations by police and DPW staff, the Select Board voted 5‑0 to amend town traffic rules to change the winter parking (midnight parking) ban start date from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1 effective this year, with emergency bans to remain available.
The Select Board opened a public hearing on whether to move the town's winter 'midnight parking' ban start date from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1. Town staff presented ticketing and weather data showing relatively few salting events in November since 2018 and said some neighboring towns now use a December start. Chief Purcell said he had "no issue with moving into December," adding that emergency parking bans would still be issued for significant storms and that his office coordinates timing with DPW.
DPW leadership advised that salting and repeated events can require multi‑day operations and urged clear public expectations about when the ban will be enforced. Several board members recommended increased outreach and clear signage if the change is adopted.
Select Member Shelby moved — and the board seconded — an amendment to the Westborough traffic rules to change Article 5, Section 5.1 (midnight parking ban) to rename it the winter parking ban and to change the start date from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1 (end date unchanged). The board voted in favor and recorded the vote as unanimous (5‑0). One member said the change will be published in the newspaper as required for the amendment to take effect.
The board asked staff to monitor winter operations and report back if the new start date increases risks to plowing or salting operations.
