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Resident urges enforcement on Upper Union Brook; manager sets April 15 compliance target
Summary
Resident Jim Talfess told the board that vehicles left on jacks and blocking Upper Union Brook impede plows and create hazards; he cited traffic ordinance 2014 and urged tow signage and enforcement. The manager said staff will seek voluntary compliance and set April 15 as a follow-up date before enforcement steps.
A longtime Northfield resident urged the Select Board to address persistent parking and obstruction issues on Upper Union Brook during public participation on March 24.
"The plows can't get by," said Jim Talfess, who described repeated incidents where vehicles were elevated on ramps or left parked in narrow stretches of the road, creating a safety hazard and preventing routine maintenance. Talfess cited the town traffic ordinance (2014) provisions that prohibit blocking traffic and permit marking no-parking areas by sign or curb paint.
Talfess asked the board to place no-parking signs and post tow warnings so residents would not have to repeatedly seek relief at board meetings. The manager said he has visited the site, spoken with the occupant in question, and is seeking voluntary compliance. He said if voluntary steps do not work he will pursue stronger enforcement and gave April 15 as a target date to expect compliance or further action.
The board acknowledged this as an ongoing problem and asked staff to apply existing ordinance language and enforcement tools if voluntary compliance fails.
