Who Has Jurisdiction Over Humphrey Street

Selectman Barry Greenfield wants to know why the state has jurisdiction over a road that the town pays a lot of money to maintain.

The question arose after Assistant Town Administrator told selectmen Tuesday that the town could not restrict truck travel on Humphrey Street because it is a numbered road  — Route 129.

The state will not allow any restriction on truck traffic on Route 129, Castellarin said.

No matter how people come down on the truck question, Greenfield said, the larger issue concerns local control.

He said it appears the town should get to decide Humphrey travel matters since the town paves, stripes and plows the road.

The assistant town administrator said state transportation officials are researching the history of Humphrey Street maintenance.

Board members said they would like to talk to a transportation representative at a future meeting.

Recently, selectmen had asked the town's to study and make a recommendation on whether the town should prohibit the travel of Humphrey/129 by trucks that are not making local deliveries — much like Lynn does on the other end of the road at Lynn Shore Drive.

The truck question arose after a resident said that trucks were using Humphrey to cut through Swampscott, leading to congestion, pollution and putting pedestrians at risk.