New Parking Restrictions Likely
Selectmen agreed at their July 1 meeting to implement changes at the intersection of Main St. and Station Ave. to improve pedestrian safety especially in situations where people have to cross Main St. to get to the other side.
Selectmen are considering measures that would improve pedestrians safety and those measures would include making crosswalks more prominent and slowing traffic. The Board held a broad discussion on crosswalks, intersection and pedestrian safety at a July 1 meeting with Police Chief Donald Palma and DPW Director Tom Delaney.
One safety issue Selectmen are trying to address is pedestrians' visibility as they cross Main St. Oftentimes, drivers cannot see pedestrians as they enter crosswalks and many pedestrians have complained about the danger of crossing Main St, even at crosswalks. One suggestion is to paint the entrances of crosswalks and intersections at a distance of 20 ft. to prohibit parking and improve drivers' sight distances.
Improved sight distances would allow better visibility of pedestrians attempting to cross Main St. and drivers who are approaching crosswalks. The goal also would be to improve sight distances of drivers who are attempting to enter Main St. from an intersection.
Delaney urged some caution in proceeding with painting these no-parking areas because of the impact on Main St. parking. He also noted that if Selectmen decide to paint one area, they would need to paint all areas to be consistent throughout the town center. Delaney said that for every crosswalk that is painted with a no parking area the town would lose approximately four parking spaces - two on each side of the street. There would also be a loss of parking spaces if a no parking area was painted at intersections.
Delaney estimated that seven parking spaces would be lost if these no parking areas were painted in front of town hall and at the intersection of Station Ave. and Main St.
He also said that four parking spaces would be lost in front of Main St. Café if no parking areas were painted at that crosswalk. Delaney said he was not opposed to painting such areas but believed the town needs to be consistent with whatever decision is made.
Selectmen member Stuart Schulman stated that safety is important and that crosswalks on Main St. are dangerous. Schulman asked about creating parking at Prescott School and whether or not the new parking area on Station Ave. has alleviated the parking situation on Main St. Delaney noted that the situation at Prescott School is uncertain and it was too early to make any assessment about the new parking area behind town hall. Delaney said he agrees that crosswalks are dangerous in town but wasn't confident about losing what could be a significant amount of parking on Main St.
He told Selectmen that Lawrence Academy was going to install new crosswalk signs which will light up when pedestrians enter a crosswalk. He said the signs would be erected on the side of Main St. where crosswalks exist. When pedestrians approach the crosswalk, they press a button which initiates a flashing light on the sign and warns drivers that a pedestrian is entering the crosswalk.
One resident at the meeting said the crosswalks are manageable and pedestrians have to make themselves seen whether there is a no parking area or not. He also noted that speed on Main St. is the main problem. As the discussion ensued, Schulman suggested that the town implement the painting and no parking areas in front of town on a trial basis to see what impact it would have on parking and on pedestrian safety. The area would include crosswalks in front of town hall and the intersection of Main St. and Station Ave. Selectmen agreed with this approach. Vice Chair Josh Degen also stated he would like to monitor the experience of what Lawrence Academy is doing and whether that might work in town center.
