District lays out traffic plan and temporary signage as Millville elementary reopens

Superintendent Jason DeFalco and operations lead Matt Ellenwood told the joint Blackstone–Millville meeting that the district has worked with the transportation director and local police chiefs to set a temporary traffic pattern for the opening weeks at Millville Elementary.

Ellenwood said route reviews and a ride-along with the transportation director identified pinch points where buses could not safely pass. “We decided to do some tree removal,” he said, and crews repaired stone walls and reinforced shoulders where needed. The plan directs buses to use Orchard Street and parents to approach the complex from alternate streets, aided by temporary directional signs and a police presence at the Lincoln/Orchard corner for the first few days.

Officials emphasized the signs are informational, not a permanent traffic change. Ellenwood said Chief Gilmore agreed to support the initial days at Lincoln and Orchard; Millville will provide police coverage at its school for the opening period. The district plans clear parent communications including a route diagram and timing guidance ahead of the first day.

Committee members raised operational follow-ups: adjusting town trash/recycling pickup, confirming the exact bus departure windows and ensuring residents understand that the arrangement is temporary and not an enforceable one-way street. Ellenwood said the district will reassess traffic flow and meet with town administrators and chiefs a few weeks into the term to decide whether changes are needed.

Next steps: districts will send diagrams and guidance to parents, coordinate sign installation with DPW, confirm police staffing for the opening days and reconvene in September to evaluate the plan.