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After public debate and engineer advice, board keeps current downtown crosswalk setbacks
Summary
Voters previously passed two contradictory warrant articles on downtown crosswalk parking. After public comment, legal notes and a Stantec review recommending a 20‑foot setback, the Select Board voted to maintain existing safety setbacks and scheduled a focused work session with Stantec and DOT to study corridor changes and signage.
The Select Board voted to maintain the currently marked safety setbacks at downtown pedestrian crossings after a lengthy discussion about two recently passed but contradictory warrant articles on crosswalk setbacks and restoring parking in travel‑direction.
Board members and members of the public agreed the issue requires technical review and public input. Stantec advised the town that the two warrant petitions contradicted each other; the firm recommended adopting the 20‑foot setback model (voter petition 22) rather than immediately restoring parking spaces directly adjacent to crosswalks (petition 26). The firm told the board that a corridor study and consultation with N.H. Department of Transportation would be the prudent next step before making permanent changes.
Some board members argued the voters had indicated support for additional parking and that restoring a small number of spaces (roughly six to eight possible spots, depending on hydrants and other constraints) could help downtown businesses. Others and several members of the public countered that visibility and backing maneuvers create safety risks and that any parking changes should follow a systematic corridor study.
By roll call the motion to keep the existing safety setbacks passed. The board directed staff to convene a work session to review prior downtown studies and to ask Stantec and DOT for a corridor study option that would include ADA considerations, signage and the number of parking spaces that could safely be restored if changes are recommended.
