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Select Board delays final decision on downtown crosswalks, OKs red-paint pilot with white hash marks
Summary
After Stantec advised that two voter-approved petitions conflict and recommended honoring the 20-foot setback standard, the board tabled broader crosswalk policy to April 15 for further review and DOT consultation, but approved a short-term pilot to paint crosswalk fields red with white borders and six perpendicular white hash marks.
The Wolfeboro Select Board on April 1 tabled a final decision on downtown crosswalk policy and requested additional review and DOT input after receiving attorney and engineer guidance that two contradicting voter petitions present a legal and design dilemma.
Stantec’s engineering memo noted that Petition 22—advocating a 20-foot no-parking setback from pedestrian crossings—aligns with MUTCD and state vehicle code guidance, while Petition 26 would restore parking spaces immediately beyond some crossings. “Based on available current guidance, it is recommended that the town adopt petition 22 rather than petition 26,” Stantec advised.
Town counsel and staff cautioned that reversing an earlier, safety-driven change without engineering review could raise the town’s exposure if a pedestrian collision occurred. For that reason, the board voted to table the matter and directed staff to consult the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and return with engineering recommendations at the April 15 meeting.
In a separate but related operational vote, Public Works was authorized to move forward with an interim graphic treatment of downtown crossings this season: a solid red infill with two white borders and six perpendicular white hash marks on the red field. Public Works Director Steve Randall said the pilot would provide a consistent “blank slate” for the summer and allow the board and the public to evaluate visibility and behavior before any permanent design.
Chair Paul O’Brien said the approach balances immediate visibility improvements with the need for longer-term engineering review. The crosswalk policy matter will return to the board on April 15 with additional information requested by selectmen.
