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Council approves three‑way stop and parking removals after fire‑department access concerns
Summary
Following public comment, a traffic-unit video and testimony from the fire marshal showing apparatus difficulty navigating a corner, the council approved ITC recommendations to install a three‑way stop and remove parking on parts of Thames Street to improve emergency access.
The council voted to adopt several Interdepartmental Traffic Committee recommendations, including adding a three‑way stop at the Spring/Bowery/Young intersection and removing parking on portions of Thames Street identified as obstructing fire apparatus access. A resident who lives near the intersection described visibility problems and near-misses; the traffic-unit chair confirmed notification of nearby homeowners and the fire marshal presented video evidence showing trucks negotiating the corner when cars are parked close to the curb.
Fire Marshal Justin Duall told the council the problem is a current operational issue: "We can get in, but we also need to get out expeditiously," and said video evidence shows apparatus turning problems when cars are parked near the corner. After back-and-forth about prior planning-board hearings and whether the issue had been raised earlier, councilors voted to approve the ITC measures.
