Dutiles prevail on Messer Street parking

The City Council this week accepted the recommendation of the Department of Public Works (DPW) to prohibit parking on both sides of Messer Street from the railroad crossing near Lyford Street to the intersection of Union Avenue. But, despite the reservations of the department, allowed two two-hour parking spaces on the west side the street in front of Dutile & Sons, Inc. at 242 Messer Street.

Currently, at the southern end of Messer Street, from Church Street to Lyford Street, two-hour parking is permitted on the east side and all parking prohibited on the west side. At the northern end of Messer Street, between Irving Street and Union Avenue, parking is prohibited on both sides of the street. In between, from Lyford Street to Irving Street, parking is not restricted but spaces are not outlined on the pavement.

In March, when the DPW first presented its proposal, it recommended banning all on-street parking between Lyford Street and Union Avenue. At the time, Luke Powell, assistant director of public works, told the committee that the "the reason for this proposal is safety," explaining that the travel lanes were too narrow to permit safe on-street parking.

Mike Dutile was not convinced. He said that that the width of the roadway passing his firm was 30 feet, six inches wider than between Lyford Street and Church Street, where parking is permitted. Furthermore, he pointed out that parking is permitted on Oak Street, which is only 26 feet wide.

"I feel I'm being harassed," he said.

His wife Ricci reminded Powell that when the street was improved they had asked for one parking space in front of the office, but were flatly denied. Referring to the many elderly customers of the firm, she remarked "When we mail the bills, I can tell you which customers will come to the office to pay cash. That's their social life and to make it harder for them really disturbs me. I'm actually fighting more for them," she continued, "than I am for the business."

After councilors decided for the Dutiles, Paul Moynihan, director of public works, said that "we can accept it, but we don't endorse it. It's sending the wrong message."

NOTES: The City Council approved the request of City Manager Eileen Cabanel to transfer $50,000 from the winter maintenance account in the Department of Public Works budget to fund the appointment of a consultant to direct the effort to acquire and renovate the Colonial Theater. The city has an option to purchase the property, which includes storefronts and apartments, for $1,470,000. . . . . . The New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning has awarded the city a block grant, including $6,000 to retrofit the lighting in the parking garage and $50,000 to do the same at Woodland Heights School and Laconia High School. The grant also allocates $45,000 to purchase recycling containers.