July parking ban in effect
Published on July 14th, 2004
STONEHAM, MA - In an effort to aid the flow of an anticipated traffic increase and avoid the paralyzing effects of gridlock on Main Street during the week of the Democratic National Convention (July 26-30), the Stoneham Board of Selectmen voted to institute a town-wide parking ban during the DNC last week.
"This could be similar to all the Y2K hoopla that went through the town a couple of years ago," said Stoneham Fire Chief Lawrence Lamey of reports that have estimated 22 mile traffic back-ups on main arteries and bumper-to-bumper conditions on roadways like Route 28. "But we need to have a plan in place just in case."
The parking ban, similar to restrictions in effect during a snowstorm, will restrict all parking on the streets in Stoneham. With the closing of I-93 from Woburn to Canton, town officials are expecting a heavy traffic increase and advised that both lanes on Main Street will be needed for healthy traffic flow.
"This is a fluid plan to deal with the expected problems, and to also have the flexibility to adjust to any kind of traffic issues we might encounter," said Stoneham Fire Chief Lawrence Lamey. "We obviously won't know the extent of the gridlock and traffic issues until that first Monday, but we have to plan for the worst case scenario."
That scenario would include fire companies and police units placed in the four corners of Stoneham, allowing for faster reaction times with traffic expected to clog up Stoneham square.
According to Lamey, Stoneham has joined with 17 other regional communities in an effort to combine emergency and public safety forces during the expected convention crunch. The 17 communities have estimated that the DNC will cost the combined forces an estimated $1.7 million in manpower and equipment costs.
"We're hoping that Sen. Ted Kennedy will be able to come forward and get some federal or state funds to reimburse the cost to town's fire and police departments," said Lamey. "Obviously Boston will get the bulk of the money to defray security costs, but we feel we also deserve a piece."
Lamey estimated that the town would incur an estimated $57,000 in public safety costs to face the expected costs.
According to Stoneham Police Chief Gregory O'Keefe, 13 intersections have been identified as possible trouble spots in the town.
"Once the cars start travelling into Stoneham and see that Main Street is backed up, they're going to start taking off down the side streets," said O'Keefe. "It happens when there's an accident on I-93, and we feel like it's going to happen now."
O'Keefe said that magnitude of the traffic congestion won't be gauged until the convention commences in Boston.
"I wish I could tell you I knew how many cars would be travelling, but I don't have a crystal ball," said O'Keefe. "We feel it's easier to advertise no parking in all areas of Stoneham, 24 hours a day for those four days. If traffic starts going down places like Windsor Road or Avalon Road, we can contact those people and ask them to move to driveways."
"We have to have a lane of roadway for traffic while also allowing enough room for emergency vehicles to get by," added O'Keefe.
O'Keefe also mentioned that the schools, in conjunction with Stoneham Chamber of Commerce Director Sharon Iovanni, volunteered their parking lots for people working in the town of Stoneham.
"If we find out on Tuesday that the traffic isn't that big of a problem, then we simply won't enforce it," said O'Keefe. "We would just assume have the traffic flow freely, but we see what it's like at 5 p.m. during rush hour when highway construction is taking place."
Iovanni has met with Stoneham business owners, and encouraged them to remind people they will be open during the DNC week.
"If you don't support the local businesses any other time of the year, please do it now," said Iovanni. "We need to find a way to support the businesses, because many local owners are expecting the DNC to affect their business negatively."
Iovanni asked anyone with questions about to-the-minute updates on the DNC's effect on Stoneham to visit their Web site at www.stonehamchamber.org
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