February 15, 2018 meeting at Sawyer Free Library–Councilor Scott Memhard hosted another Ward 1 community discussion and welcomed participation. All hands on deck– Councilor O’Hara part of beach traffic task force; Council Lundberg, Holmgren, Cox and Hecht were there, too. I’ll add links soon.
UPDATE: Councilor Memhard added meeting notes to the comments (see below). I’ve also added them into a Part 2 post with the Beach & Traffic Ad Hoc committee presentation to City Council. Look for information and maps related to Long Beach, Good Harbor Beach, Stage Fort Park, and more. Chances are your ideas or concerns were mentioned–doublecheck and future public meetings to be announced.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Could a side lane be built to allow more beach traffic off the main road by Good Harbor Beach parking lot?
On Summer weekends the traffic backs up to Grant Circle. It’s kind of CRAZY!
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Thanks for adding in, Escape pod. (“escape pod” did not come up as a stuck in traffic option :))
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Only Starships have escape pods.
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Great post and now is the time to discuss the issues for the upcoming season and inputs and suggestions are the way to affect change to concerns and balance all the way around! Wow that is a lot off traffic. A park and ride from like a large parking lot not used heavily in summer?
🙂 Dave & Kim 🙂
They used this out west it may work your way also suggestion only?
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/park-ride
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Hi Dave and Kim- CATA has operated a trolley shuttle from Stage Fort and yes other park-ride options came up, comparisons with towns near (Rockport, Manchester) and far. I have to check out your balloonfiesta link! thanks for sharing. Also Biking, walking from train station. Cars backed up makes access for trolleys, emergency vehicles, residents moving about difficult.
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Thanks for your response, things have changed a whole bunch since I was last there way too many moons ago! But it’s good to see how the community deals with the everyday issues. Yes on the last sentence vital public safety! 🙂 Dave
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Good eggs Bob Ryan and Heidi Dallin showed Boston Globe how it’s done park n ride
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2017/07/13/playing-beach-parking-game-summer-guide/B2fJUfeuBbZc2w7QvskOiI/story.html
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Thanks very good! 🙂 Dave
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The Ward 1 Beach Parking Ordinance community meeting last night at the library was well attended. We had a lively airing of concerns and opinions, addressing the specific Parking Ordinance proposed changes, and general, wide-ranging discussion of the problem and various potential solutions, including:
> expanded off-site parking and trolly/bus service to the beaches;
> better signage notifying drivers that lots are full and closed, with posted directions to alternate parking options; and
> other practical steps to relieve severe safely, access, and disruption from on-street parking congestion in our beach neighborhoods .
A fair summary would be that the general feeling of the attendees was, while broader use of “Resident Only Parking” stickers might be a good step towards limiting some illegal beach parking, this proposed Ordinance change, despite input from the Ad Hoc Beach Parking working group, Traffic Commission and Council O&A sub-committee, would NOT materially help issues of beach parking infringement in the neighborhood side streets.
> Greater police enforcement, ticketing and towing is really needed, although GPD manpower for this is limited by budget and staffing constraints, as well as tow company practical limits on busy weekends.
> People felt that the City’s commitment to better enforcement was currently lax, and would be most helpful if beefed up, including hiring dedicated summer weekend parking enforcers, like our downtown meter-maids.
> Consistent, effective Enforcement will change violators’ habits, and get the message out! Ticket, ticket, and more tickets, with multiple tickets being issued on same Vehicle, as is done in other communities.
> Also implementation of tougher Beach Zone parking fines and penalties, for which we are presently seeking State approval for.
Other suggestions included:
> Making certain street one-way during busy weekend mornings (Witham Street, Marina Drive, Thatcher’s between Barn Lane and Witham) was mentioned several times.
> Also, the important need/opportunity for bicycle paths & a pedestrian-friendly sidewalk on a widened Thatcher’s Road between Barn Lane and Witham Steet, widening the way into or over the marsh, with needed State and Conservation support.
> Elimination of out-of-town year-round beach parking permits was popular with residents attending.
> Weekend mornings having a Police officer directing traffic at Eastern Ave/128 would improve traffic flow, for both visitors and residents,
We also dealt with questions of the City’s legally installing signage and implementing additional regulations on streets that are privately owned, and the issue of liability in privately enforcing and towing violators.
We hope to convene another Beach Parking Community Meeting again, in the Spring, either at the Library again, or perhaps in the evening at Cape Ann Coffees.
best,
Scott
—
Scott Memhard
Gloucester City Councilor for Ward 1
Budget & Finance Committee, Fisheries Commission
tel. 978-879-9394 (cell); 978-283-1955 (home); FAX 978-283-3714
9 Graystone Road, Gloucester, MA 01930
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Hi Scott, I added see comments below in the post and pulled them out for part 2. Thanks for sending 🙂
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