Public Safety Committee Addresses Winter Parking Ban Procedures.
Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.
The Gardner Public Safety Committee primarily focused on a public hearing to discuss amendments to the city’s winter parking ban procedures. City officials were reviewing the ineffectiveness of the current Code Red alert system, which resulted in an overwhelming number of parked vehicles, causing operational inefficiencies and safety concerns for public works crews. The Director of Public Works provided data showing that the current alert method led to significantly higher towing rates and increased costs for the city and residents compared to the previous seasonal ban that cleared streets quickly. Testimony from the Police Chief and Deputy Chief supported implementing a hybrid model, which would codify a mandatory ban during the snowiest months to ease the heavy burden placed on first responders who must spend time locating vehicle owners during storms. After discussion, the committee members agreed that the new approach was a necessary compromise and voted to recommend the proposed ordinance be sent for initial approval by the full council. In the subsequent City Council meeting held that evening, the hybrid plan was approved. See City Council meeting article for details.
