Description
As the Director of DPW, Can Chapin Spencer please explain DPW's recent handling of SCF issues. DPW has recently taken it upon themselves to close issues prior to be resolved because the reporting user is not giving contact information. This will undermine the usefulness of SCF, remove anonymity and transparency. Thank you.
10 Comments
Ramhead (Registered User)
IT Department (Verified Official)
Acknowledged SCormier (Verified Official)
BVTaxpayer (Registered User)
gil (Registered User)
SCormier (Verified Official)
Thank you for communicating with us on this issue. The Director of Public Works is out of town currently and I am filling in as the acting Director in his absence. I would like to assure you that the request for contact information by DPW to the initial poster was in no way intended to stifle input but instead an attempt to assist the poster with initiating a solution to their observed issue. Specifically; parking on Starr Farm Road. At first read the post in question appears to be leading to a request for ordinance change, which would benefit from direct engagement with our Engineering Services team. While we appreciate and respond essentially daily to anonymous posts related to needs for services or to fix issues, when it comes to changing or adding ordinances we seek a dialogue with the requestor to understand the full context of the problem before beginning what can be a lengthy and effort intensive project. It was with the best of intentions we here at DPW sought contact information in order to move on to the next step in working together to define the problem and initiate a solution.
Pat Cashman
Assistant Director of Public Works for Traffic and Parking
Thank you for communicating with us on this issue.
I would like to preface my input with an assurance that the request for contact information by DPW to the initial poster was in no way intended to stifle input but instead an attempt to assist the poster with initiating a solution to their observed issue. Specifically; parking on Starr Farm Road. To restrict parking on Starr Farm Road beyond what is already restricted would require an ordinance change, which would require personnel from the DPW Engineering Services branch to work with the requestor to fully flesh out and understand the problem, provide public notice, develop a staff position, and take through the Public Works Commission. It was with the best of intentions we here at DPW sought contact information in order to move on to the next step in working together to define the problem and initiate a solution.
In order to answer the initial question from the initial post; “Is the section of road by Flynn school across from the nursing home legal parking?” – The answer is “yes” based on our assumption that the poster is referring to the North side of Starr Farm Road more than 100 feet from the intersection with North Avenue. This is with the qualification that parking off the surface of the road on the greenbelt is against ordinance throughout the city so any such parking would have to be on the road surface. In this case the greenbelt would be within 9’ 9” of the edge of the road as that is the limit if the public right of way on Star Farm Road. The only sections of Starr Farm Road that are currently restricted from parking per ordinance are:
Appendix C, Sect 7, para 324: On the north side of Starr Farm Road, for a distance of 100 feet west of North Avenue.
Appendix C, Sect 7, para 333: On the south side of Starr Farm Road, for a distance of 660 feet west of North Avenue.
Appendix C, Sect 7, para 458: On both sides of Starr Farm Road beginning one hundred fifty (150) feet east of the easternmost section of Pleasant Avenue extending west two hundred (200) feet west of the bike path.
If the original poster would like to seek an ordinance change in order to extend existing “No-parking Areas” or create additional “No-parking areas” then we would certainly invite their or any other resident’s participation in initiating that process with our Engineer Services personnel. Our Engineering Services personnel can be reached through DPW Customer Service at 863-9094.
In regards to the second issue raised subsequently in this See, Click, Fix pertaining to parking on the greenbelt. Such parking is already precluded by ordinance in Section 20-55 “General Prohibitions” and, as it relates to parking in the public right of way, is subject to enforcement by the Burlington Police Department. DPW has been in communication with BPD on this issue requesting a review for enforcement in this area as this appears to be an enduring problem. Thank you for identifying this area for attention.
Display Name Blocked (884805) (Registered User)
There have been 2 posts from 2 different individuals, myself being one, relating to the "legality" of parking on the Northern side of Starr Farm Rd off the road surface, within 100 ft. of North Ave. Both appear to be a simple inquiry with either safety or environmental concerns. Potentially explaining the need for additional communication could help understand your request, instead of just closing the issue. It took an inappropriate amount of effort to have the City research this simple request and hopefully enforce it.
The parking that occurs on the Northern side of Starr Farm Rd is well within 100 ft of North Ave and against City ordinance as you stated, “that parking off the surface of the road on the greenbelt is against ordinance throughout the city so any such parking would have to be on the road surface.” It can be observed any day of the week and from the pictures provided and that the parking is off the surface of the road and has dramatically damaged the greenbelt.
This is NOT an inquiry to change any ordinance to extend existing “No-parking Areas” or create additional “No-parking areas”. This was simply an inquiry as to the legality of the parking and is now a request that the current illegal parking off the road on Starr Farm be enforced by CE, DPW, or BPD as it is against a city ordinance that has environmental and safety issues.
Thank you very much for taking the time to response, determine the legality of parking, and improve enforcement. I look forward to having a safer Starr Farm Rd during the school year and a greenbelt that has not been destroyed by vehicular travel. Thank you again for working on this issue.
BOHICA (Registered User)
Display Name Blocked (884805) (Registered User)
Closed SCormier (Verified Official)