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Northborough approves ban on commercial vehicle parking on Bartlett and parts of Lyman Street
Summary
After weeks of complaints about tractor‑trailers staging near school routes, town meeting approved a bylaw increasing fines and permitting signage to discourage commercial‑vehicle parking on Bartlett and Lyman Streets; police will emphasize education and company cooperation.
Town meeting adopted Article 48 to add a commercial‑vehicle parking prohibition on Bartlett Street and portions of Lyman Street. The police chief described repeated instances of tractor‑trailers using Bartlett Street as an informal rest area—sometimes 6–10 trucks at a time—creating sight‑line and safety concerns for schoolchildren, pedestrians and cyclists.
The proposed bylaw raises the first‑offense citation from $50 to $100 and allows fines up to $300 for repeated violations. The chief said enforcement would emphasize education (officers will knock and advise drivers first) and that officers retain discretion, including issuing fines to the company rather than the driver when appropriate. Several residents urged the town to work with companies to provide staging or rest options; the chief said Amazon and FedEx have begun adding signage and redesigning driveways to reduce the problem.
After public comment on alternatives and equity concerns for independent drivers, the meeting voted to adopt the amendment to Northborough Town Code §9‑92‑040 to prohibit commercial vehicle parking in the identified corridor; signage and enforcement will follow.
