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Town clerk sets two-week minimum for street-closure requests; board weighs delegating approvals to police
Summary
Town Clerk Lisa said street-closure requests for block parties and events should be filed at planning stages with at least two weeks’ lead time; board members discussed whether to authorize the police to approve recurring closures but raised liability and public-notice concerns.
At the Sept. 10 work session, Town Clerk Lisa (S6) briefed the board on the street-closing process and set a recommended minimum two-week lead time for requests tied to block parties, street fairs and similar events.
Lisa explained that organizers should contact her office as soon as the event is in the planning stages so that the town can notify police, fire and other services and arrange barricades. "You have to contact my office the minute it is in the planning stages," Lisa said, and she committed to adding a dedicated street-closure section to the town website (the information was noted as currently posted under noise waivers and filming).
Chair S1 proposed streamlining recurring closures by authorizing the police to automatically renew approvals for longstanding neighborhood block parties, arguing it would reduce administrative delay when organizations change leadership. Committee member S2 and others pushed back on delegating that authority to police, citing liability and the importance of board-level noticing to inform the public. S2 warned that police might decline the responsibility because of liability related to barricades and changed placement by residents, saying in part, "We're getting a suit." Staff (S4) agreed to review town code for any constraints but said best practice is to have board-level notice and a vote when appropriate.
Why it matters: Timely permitting affects public safety (police/fire staffing, barricade placement) and public notice. Delegating approvals could speed renewals for recurring events but raises liability and transparency trade-offs.
What’s next: The clerk will add clearer guidance to the website and staff will check town code and consider options (including automatic renewal language for events with a history of safe operation). No formal policy change or vote was recorded in the provided excerpt.
