Traffic forces W-H building use change due to dangerous traffic flow problem, exacerbated by a lot of illegal parking during events held at WHRHS
On Saturday, Nov. 14, the School Committee voted 8-0-1 on Nov. 18 to amend the district’s building use policy.
Member Robert O’Brien, a lieutenant on the Hanson Fire Department, abstained and member Alexandra Taylor was absent.
The change requires that renters of the facilities for events involving more than 300 participants must pay to provide a police detail “in order to ensure the safety and security” of those participants.
Use of the facility will be denied if: there is insufficient supervision, capacity is exceeded or if public safety officials and/or district personnel deem a safety and security problem exists.
“People were parked up and down [both sides] of the driveway, should a fire truck have to get in here it would require bashing through cars,” said Committee member Fred Small, who sits on the Facilities and Capital Improvements Subcommittee. “They just wouldn’t be able to fit.”
School Committee Chairman Robert Hayes, who was on the grounds during the day Nov. 14, said the problem has cropped up before.
While it says “No Parking” on one side of the driveway pavement, people just park over it, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources/Safety and Security Patrick Dillon said. Hayes added that it is also assumed the posted traffic signs pertain only to school hours. Cars also illegally park on the fire road.
A Hanson school roof project was also a topic of concern.
The Indian Head and Maquan Priority Repair Committee is persuing the penalty clause of the Indian Head roof project over missed deadlines.
The project, originally contracted for completion at about Aug. 21 is now, after several delays, scheduled to conclude Monday, Nov. 30. The most recent missed deadline was Nov. 22, which hinged on the company working Veterans Day. A nor’easter, however, cost two days’ work that week, according to Hayes.
“It’s dragging out way too long and it’s got to be completed,” Hayes said.
School Committee member Kevin Lynam asked about the repair committee’s satisfaction with the work.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from what I’ve heard for the last three months and suddenly people are angry about the time it’s taking,” Lynam noted.
Hayes said the timing is beginning to affect everything.
“Are we dissatisfied with the work? No, but we’re dissatisfied with the [time] it’s been taking,” he said.
