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Oak Bluffs committee debates commercial and construction vehicle parking and considers bike-safety signs
Summary
The Oak Bluffs Roads and Byways Committee on Jan. 15 discussed overnight commercial-vehicle parking in downtown and harbor areas, proposed construction-vehicle permits tied to building permits, and considered new signage to stop wrong-way bicycle traffic on Circuit Avenue; members approved Dec. 18 minutes and assigned follow-ups to police and staff.
Oak Bluffs Roads and Byways Committee members met Jan. 15 to discuss downtown parking pressures from commercial and construction vehicles and safety measures for bicyclists on one-way streets.
Chair Mark Leonard opened the meeting and led discussion of commercial vehicles left overnight in downtown, North Bluff and harbor areas, including near the Patriot boat landing. Leonard said owner contact information for commercial vehicles should be compiled and made available to Police and Fire to support enforcement when vehicles obstruct freight or passenger spaces. Highway Superintendent Richard Combra cautioned against rules so harsh that commercial drivers would relocate to residential streets. The committee discussed improving signage for short-term pickup and drop-off zones to keep 15-minute spaces available for freight and passenger traffic.
Committee members also discussed construction vehicles that occupy curbside parking while working on-site downtown. Leonard proposed a permit system tied to building permits, with a separate fee and limits on days and times of parking; the committee agreed to develop guidance for permit requirements and enforcement but took no formal vote.
Bicycle safety was raised as a separate concern. Members said bicycles are using one-way streets the wrong way—especially where diagonal parking reduces sight lines—and agreed to research existing bylaws and enforcement options. The committee discussed placing "No Bicycle Access" or "Do Not Enter/Wrong Way" signs at the upper portion of Circuit Avenue to reduce conflicts.
The committee approved its Dec. 18, 2025 meeting minutes on a roll-call vote. Highway Superintendent Richard Combra moved to approve the minutes; Chief Foster seconded. The recorded roll-call vote was: Leonard — Aye; Combra — Aye; Chief Foster — Aye; Erik Albert — Aye; Mike Silvia — Abstain (4 Aye, 1 Abstain).
Richard Combra provided a brief Highway Department update noting several spring projects are upcoming but did not enumerate specifics in the meeting record. The meeting concluded at 1:09 p.m. after Combra moved to adjourn and Water District Superintendent Mike Silvia seconded; the roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous Aye.
The committee documented follow-up assignments: Chair Leonard will confirm that the Police Department has the list of issued commercial-vehicle permits and vehicle-owner information; committee members will research bicycle regulations and signage; the committee will draft permit requirements for construction-vehicle parking; and the Finance Advisory Committee and Town Administrator were asked to research the legal process for increasing parking fines. Chief Searle was listed to provide data on parking tickets and current parking revenue (action-item assignment recorded in the minutes).
