Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Foxborough DPW reports contractor road closures that blocked a school bus on first day of school
Summary
DPW Director Chris Gallagher told the Select Board that multiple contractor-driven road closures on the first day of school briefly prevented a school bus from passing, prompting the town to tighten on-site oversight and coordinate police details and the transportation manager to avoid repeat incidents.
Chris Gallagher, Foxborough’s director of public works, told the Select Board on Sept. 10 that contractors closed at least one roadway on the first day of school — at one point preventing a school bus from getting through.
“One of the contractors took it upon themselves to close a road preventing a school bus from getting down it,” Gallagher said, describing the situation as a “perfect storm” involving an out-of-town police detail and a new bus driver. He said Mechanic Street work is now complete and no further detours remain there.
Gallagher said the town has held repeated conversations with contractors and with the transportation manager to ensure police details and contractors accommodate bus routes. He described another recent incident near Walnut Street where traffic-pattern setup created confusion about whether buses could make required turns; Gallagher said that issue has been resolved with the contractor and the police detail so buses can make the Walnut Terrace turn to reach the schools they serve.
A Select Board member asked who monitors contractors to prevent “going rogue” and urged a DPW supervisor or other town representative to be on-site on mornings when school buses run. Gallagher said supervisors have the transportation manager’s contact information and that the department is discussing better last-minute outreach to parents and bus drivers when changes are expected.
Board members also raised concerns about signage and detour clarity for drivers unfamiliar with town routes, urging clearer detour markers and more timely public notices. Gallagher acknowledged the timing of contractor schedules often leaves work clustered against the start of the school year and said the department is trying to prioritize paving and other work so it does not disrupt school routes.
The Select Board did not take formal action on the matter at the meeting; Gallagher said the town has increased coordination with police details and contractors to reduce the risk of repeated incidents.
The town’s next steps include daily checks with the transportation manager before planned closures, encouraging contractors to post clearer detour signage, and exploring faster ways to notify parents and affected bus routes in last-minute situations.
