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Council advances plan to request state help for parallel parking on Main Street to aid snow removal
Summary
Council members agreed to draft an ordinance-like request asking the state highway department to implement parallel parking and signage on Main Street to improve sight lines and snow removal; members discussed scope, liability and a public-comment process.
Council members discussed converting diagonal parking to parallel parking along Main Street to address recurring snow-removal and safety concerns.
The chair framed the discussion by noting snow piles and vehicles parked over fog lines make sight lines hazardous: "It's time for it to happen," the chair said, arguing an ordinance or formal request to the state would enable signage and striping to make enforcement feasible. Members debated whether the change should cover the entire length of Main Street or only selected blocks and whether to include time-of-day limits during winter for plowing.
Several members noted the state highway department would perform the striping and provide signage if the town makes a formal request; one council member identified a state contact, Shane Mintz, and said state engineers were cooperative. Concerns about liability were raised (county and business owners could be affected), with members noting that state adoption of the striping would make enforcement clearer and reduce roadway hazards, especially for elderly drivers.
The council agreed staff should draft language that effectively grants the state authority to implement parallel parking markings and schedule public comment with highway personnel present to explain options. No ordinance was adopted at this meeting; next steps include drafting the request and scheduling public comment.
