GREENFIELD — The Parking & Traffic Commission voted unanimously to recommend the Department of Public Works install additional “No Parking” signs on Laurel Street.
Tuesday’s vote in support of more signs, particularly on the curved section of the road, comes following a request from a resident. Judi Brown, who serves as the commission’s staff contact, shared that resident Kelly Grabowski had asked for a no-parking zone there.
“It goes on to say that when people overflow parking from the nursing home, they park on the street,” Brown said, referring to an email Grabowski sent. “The [police] chief and public works director are all in favor of the change. They’ve seen accidents over there.”
Members reviewed maps and imagery of the road and determined there are currently “No Parking” signs scattered along the street. However, there are sections of the road that do not have signs and areas where parking is only allowed on one side of the street.
“If there’s a pattern of signage near the Fairview end, it probably should be repeated,” commission member Michael Mullin said.
“If there are accidents there, we should do it,” commission member Jean Wall added.
The commission also heard a request from residents Cynthia and Joseph Johnson to allow parking only on one side of the road on Lincoln Street. However, members were not in favor of making any changes.
Brown explained that in a letter, the Johnsons suggested that allowing parking on one side of the street would make the road safer, as parking is currently allowed on both sides.
“They’re concerned about their street safety, because parking is allowed on both sides,” Brown said. “They feel it makes it less safe for children to play and they’re concerned about fire trucks being able to make it through.”
Brown said Fire Chief Robert Strahan confirmed that fire engines are able to successfully navigate the street with vehicles parked on both sides.
Commission members said they did not think removing parking on one side of the street would make Lincoln Street safer, as having vehicles parked on both sides forces drivers to go slower.
“I don’t see how taking the cars away will make it safer for children; it will make cars go faster,” Wall said. “Your children should not be playing in the street to begin with.”
Parking & Traffic Commission Chair Sebastian Gutwein noted that parking is allowed on both sides of the street on all nearby roads, and Lincoln Street is the same width as neighboring streets as well.
“I don’t see any special rationale to change that street versus any other street,” Gutwein said. “It seems like if we’re going to make that parking on one side, we should have a reason or we shouldn’t do it at all.”
