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Residents press Richmond to make state No Parking zone on West Main Street safer
Summary
Parishioners and residents told the Selectboard that parked vehicles on Route 2 near Holy Rosary Church and Richmond Family Medicine create sight-line hazards; the board discussed striping, signage, stepped enforcement and applying to state for curb striping.
Residents and church representatives told the Nov. 4 Selectboard meeting that cars routinely park in a state-designated No Parking zone on Route 2 between the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church and Richmond Family Medicine, making it hard for drivers to see oncoming traffic when exiting the driveways.
Jean Golin, speaking for parishioners and the buildings and grounds committee, read a letter noting near-misses and asked the town to move an "end of no parking" sign further down the road and to add curb striping or clearer signage. “Exiting the driveway to and from the church is a hazardous endeavor due to cars and trucks parking at the curb on the north side of the driveway,” she said.
Staff summarized the history: the state installed signs after a request from the town and the VC (state traffic committee) approved the No Parking zone, but the state typically does not add paint striping except for major road striping projects. Options discussed included the town applying for a permit to stripe the curb at town expense, asking the state to relocate signage, temporarily deploying cones or jersey barriers (likely disfavored for snow maintenance reasons), and stepped enforcement (windshield warnings followed by tickets and potential towing for repeat offenders). The police chief said targeted enforcement during Saturday 4 p.m. Mass and other peak times is feasible.
Why it matters: residents described close calls and safety risks during darker, busy periods. Several speakers urged quick short-term actions (targeted enforcement, temporary markings) while longer-term changes (state approval for expanded no-parking or permanent striping) follow the formal application and public outreach process.
Next steps: the Selectboard asked staff to get state guidance on whether the town may paint the curb or must obtain a permit, to pursue improved signage, and to coordinate targeted enforcement during high-risk times. Staff will report back at a future meeting.
