Town Council Approves Parking Changes Near Town Hall

By Adam Swift

The Town Council approved a change in parking regulations outside Town Hall at its meeting on Tuesday night.

Four spaces in front of Town Hall will now be 30-minute parking spaces during Town Hall and library business hours, while the handicap parking space that was in front of Town Hall will be moved to the lot behind the building.

The move is seen as a way to make it easier for residents to find a parking spot when conducting business such as paying bills at Town Hall.

However, several residents pointed out that there are still a number of parking issues around Town Hall and the library that need to be addressed by the town.

“We had legal opinion … that stated we could move the handicap spot from this lot to the back lot,” said Council Vice President Stephen Ruggiero. “This recommendation was made by TSAC (Transportation Safety Advisory Committee) and passed out of rules and ordinances 2-0.”

Hermon Street resident Mariann Nicoletti, who lives near Town Hall, raised questions about enforcement of the new parking restrictions as well as the lack of parking spots during the day for residents of her building and an adjacent address.

“When the Arthur T. Cummings School was being built, before they even broke ground, me and my family, we owned both of those buildings across the street, attended all of the meetings and we were assured that the parking out here would not be affected by employees of the school department parking on the street all day,” said Nicoletti. “That has gone by the wayside.”

Nicoletti noted that her tenant usually comes home a little after noon on weekdays and cannot find a parking spot in the area. She also questioned why abutters were not notified that there was a potential change to the parking ordinance.

“My question is, where are we going to park?” she asked.

Town Council President James Letterie said the enforcement is up to the police department.

“In terms of school parking, I know that there is a policy that is ongoing to try to alleviate some of the problems from the parking here,” said Letterie. 

He also noted that Nicoletti and other residents are able to apply for handicap parking placards for street parking in the town.

“I know this has been through TSAC for a long time, and I know there have been emails and phone calls from citizens in the town just saying … that during business hours there are very few spots around,” said Letterie. “The people are coming in to pay bills … and they have no place to park and they get frustrated and they say the town doesn’t want my money. Which is totally understandable and I think that was the thought behind trying to get this started.”

Letterie noted that the TSAC and the town is also working to address other parking issues downtown and in the are of the Town Hall and the library.