Selectmen May Scratch Puritan Road Parking Idea

Residents in a standing-room crowd at Town Hall Wednesday told selectmen that temporary parking on Puritan Road is a bad idea because it would lead to an accident.

Several board members said parking on the beach road may be a non-starter, anyways.

Selectman David Van Dam and others on the board said the remaining 30 to 40 spaces at may meet the parking needs of beach-goers.

The board passed a motion asking the town Transportation Safety Committee to look at the topic of adequate beach parking with the premise that the board is very concerned about allowing parking on Puritan Road.

The chairman of the board, Rich Malagrifa, said the number of spaces at Phillips Park will soon expand to about 50 when construction of the sound stage at the park is complete.

The parking problem arose because more than 100 spaces at the park are being used to accommodate the stage in the Adam Sandler movie.

Selectman Jill Sullivan said the board was thinking about alternative parking because a room full of residents told the board two weeks ago that they want to be sure they have a place to park so they too can enjoy the beach.

Traditionally residents have parked at Phillips Park and hiked a path from the park to Eisman's Beach. The path remains open.

Wednesday's discussion was on alternative parking, and the possibility of opening the non-beachside of Puritan Road to parking for 10 vehicles. 

The talks opened with strong objections from the crowd.

Joseph DiDonato, a longtime Puritan Road resident, said he guarantees there will be an accident if parking is allowed at the side of Puritan.

Neighbors said they struggle as it is to back from their driveways on to Puritan Road. Having one lane will only exacerbate their difficulties considering the many people who walk and run in the road and the speed at which cars travel on Puritan.

Ultimately, selectmen opted to find out for certain if there is problem before they consider a solution.

Board member Glenn Kessler said rigid enforcement of parking sticker regulations could open up spaces at Phillips Park, as well.

If vehicles are ticketed for parking at Phillips without a beach parking sticker it will discourage illegal parking and free up spaces there for residents with parking stickers.

The town administrator told abutters they will be notified if a temporary parking alternative is scheduled to come before the selectmen.