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Council withdraws plan to remove Route 5 no-parking signs, votes to study alternatives
Summary
After a motion to remove no-parking signs on Route 5 near the town boat launch, Waterboro council members discussed safety, enforcement and DOT options and instead agreed to study alternatives including more signage, ropes, or acquiring land for parking.
A motion to remove no-parking signs along the southbound side of Route 5 near the boat launch prompted extended discussion at the Waterboro Town Council’s June 2 meeting about safety, enforcement and possible engineering or land-use options.
Dwayne Anderson (speaker 4) opened the item by moving to remove the no-parking signs, saying people park there regardless of signage and removal would give motorists more room to pull off the road. “My purpose is because people park there anyway, and we don't have a way to enforce it,” he said.
Other council members pointed to safety concerns and the role of signage in discouraging parking near a congested stretch. One council member said the signs have reduced parking and that the area has been the site of past crashes. Participants noted enforcement limitations — the sheriff’s office and previous traffic studies indicated enforcement or a traffic study could be required, and a traffic-study result could even raise posted speeds. Council members and staff discussed approaching the private landowner about providing a parking area, asking the state DOT about gravel or paving as part of road work, and whether a town constable or fire-department officer could be authorized to enforce restrictions.
After discussion the mover withdrew the immediate-removal motion and the council adopted a revised motion to further study the “pocket” parking situation, including options such as adding more signs or ropes between signs, pursuing purchase or donation of land to create parking, or coordinating with DOT on surfacing. The revised motion was seconded and put to a voice vote.
Council staff said new boat-launch signage has been purchased and will be installed when it arrives; the transcript indicates members expect a public comment at a future meeting from stakeholders such as the lake association. The council did not direct immediate removal; instead it asked staff and council members to research the options and return with findings.
The review will examine enforcement options, potential traffic-study implications, costs and the possibility of a site entrance off Bagley Road as one alternative.
