Gilford Selectboard seeks public input on proposed parking reform

GILFORD — The town selectboard will hold a public hearing to gather community input about proposed parking changes on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Changes include proposed amendments to the town’s winter parking ordinance, requiring a town decal to park at Lincoln Park, and adding a requirement that parking is only allowed at town-owned recreation facilities if the operator is present.

The winter parking ban is included in Ordinance 24.4.2, and the selectboard is proposing two new sections. Part A states that from Nov. 15 to April 1, it is a violation to park on a public street between midnight and 7 a.m., as well as other times where there is snow or ice. The proposed change is to clarify this is for public streets, or town maintained rights-of-way, and also strikes language about snow and ice.

Instead, Ordinance 24.4.2 B is proposed, which states that parking is prohibited on a public street and town maintained right-of-way whenever snow or ice is falling or accumulating; if public works winter maintenance operations are taking place or reasonably anticipated; and when the public works director or police chief declares a snow or ice emergency event.

The selectboard is also proposing the creation of Ordinance 24.4.2 C, stating the town will provide public notice on its website, social media, and conventional media methods when a parking ban is in place.

There are also proposed changes to Ordinance 24.4.6, the section regarding public recreation area parking. In section B, the proposal would require the operator of a vehicle or its occupants using any town park, forest recreation facility, or conservation area to use it for its intended purpose, or an official purpose, during normal hours. This section also states that student parking is allowed during weekday daylight hours at the Gilford Village Field lot, whenever the access gate is open.

They are also considering adding a Section D to the ordinance, stating that parking at Lincoln Park is only allowed with a town sticker.

The selectboard discussed the parking changes at their Nov. 12 meeting, with board members agreeing there are only a small amount spaces for Lincoln Park as it is.

Town Administrator Scott Dunn said existing regulations state parking needs to be for its intended purpose, but Selectboard Chair Kevin Hayes said the problem is enforcement.

“Unless the police are going to be there all the time over the summer, you can’t enforce it,” Hayes said.

Selectboard Vice Chair Chann Eddy added it is a problem whenever the weather is warm, and sometimes, there will be cars parked there without anyone actually using the park. Dunn said there is signage, but it has proven to be ineffective.

“We could conceivably enforce the existing regulations without making any changes,” Dunn said.

Hayes thinks the ordinance should still be amended to prohibit overnight parking, and Selectboard Clerk Gus Benavides wondered if having a resident sticker could alleviate those issues.

“I’m OK with the town sticker, I guess, because most of the walkers on Lincoln and Scenic Drive are residents,” Hayes said.

If approved, the amendments will be in effect as of Thursday, Dec. 4.

During the Nov. 12 meeting, the selectboard also decided not to include any amendments to parking regulations pertaining to Varney Point Road, after hearing concerns from Public Works Commission Chair Rick Nelson.

Nelson was concerned that if approved by the selectboard, the parking alongside the fence between the ice rink and 72 Varney Point would have been marked for residents only, and marked for no overnight parking. He wished not to “open up a can of worms.”

Nelson's thought was, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” He said there has been plenty of work done on the road across from Fay’s Boat Yard, located at 71 Varney Point, and he was trying to figure out why there could be potential residential parking there.

Nelson said this would put an increased burden on the town’s police force, and he questioned whether this would be a tow zone, ticket zone, or both. It has been three to four years since the parking lot has been full at the town beach, reinforcing Nelson’s point to leave it alone.

The board members agreed, and Eddy said he wished to go down to the area and take another look.

“I think this is something we have to think a little harder on.”

The public hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Town Hall, during the regular selectboard meeting.