Selectboard OKs new parking, speed limit rules

BRATTLEBORO — The Selectboard unanimously approved amendments to the town's traffic ordinances at the Sept. 19 regular Board meeting. This was the second reading and public hearing on the proposed changes.

Article 1 of Appendix C (Regulations Governing the Control of Traffic) of the Brattleboro Code of Ordinances allows for a 44-foot commercial loading and unloading zone in front of 90 Elliot St. between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. During other times, this zone will have two metered parking spaces.

The Board approved two no-parking areas near the intersection of Elliot and Elm streets.

On the south side of Elliot Street, starting at the northeast corner of Elm Street, parking will be prohibited for a distance of 138 feet. Also on the south side of Elliot Street, parking will be banned from the northwest corner of 78 Elliot St. heading east for 80 feet. These ordinances fall under Article II (Parking).

Church and Elliot Streets will gain new parking spaces.

On the west side of Church Street, the Board approved three spaces on the northwestern end of the bump-out. The south side of Elliot Street will have seven two-hour parking spaces beginning 6 feet from the east side of the 118 Elliot driveway.

“The changes are really being driven by the new construction of the fire department and the need for adequate space for the larger [fire] trucks turning onto Elliot Street,” said Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland.

“We're actually gaining [three] parking spaces on Elliot Street,” noted Selectboard Chair Kate O'Connor.

The Board approved a speed limit change on Vernon Street (Route 142). Between the southern terminus of the town's jurisdiction and Royal Road, the speed limit will be 35 mph. This is covered under Article IV (Pedestrian Crossings and Zones of Safety).

There was no public comment.

Unless townspeople successfully petition a vote to disapprove the ordinances, they will go into effect on Nov. 18.

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