South School Parents Fight Parking Restrictions

Last night concerned parents came together and shared their ideas and opinions about the congested parking situation on Independence Lane with Hingham’s Traffic Committee, the Town Administrator, and Hingham Public Schools Superintendant .

Parents were invited to the meeting by South School Principal Eliza Burns after a proposed decision to implement parking restrictions near the school caused major concerns. A crowd of 25 Hingham residents were present and parents gave their passionate opinions on the ongoing issue.  Many parents expressed their concerns on how difficult the parking situation is at the school.

“There are times I need to park in that neighborhood,” said Margaret Doyle, a South School mother and resident of Minuteman Road. 

Doyle explained that Independence Lane is a necessary option for parking, when she cannot find a spot on Main Street.

At  last week’s Selectmen meeting,  the Traffic Committee recommended to the Board of Selectmen to install  16-20   “No Parking Anytime” signs on the loop and both sides of Independence Lane, a neighboring street to where parents have commonly picked up their children. The decision was proposed because a  congestion of vehicles at Independence Lane during the pickup and drop off hours of school has blocked traffic and has become a safety issue.

South School mother Linda Sharkanskly of Hancock St., opposed the signs. Sharkanskly believes that Independence Ln. is the safest option instead of having children crossing Main Street.

 “I never met a group of mothers that genuinely cares about their children like the mother’s of Liberty Pole,” Sharkansky said.  “Independence Lane is the best option.  The solutions are fairly simple.  It starts with respect.”

 Sharkansky encouraged fellow parents to respect the neighborhood residents’ property and to not block the road. Town Administrator Ted Alexiades shared the same beliefs, as he didn’t want to turn to police enforcement to solve the issue.

 “This problem came to us,” Alexiades told the South School parents.  “We didn’t chase the problem.  Please help the police department and enforce yourself.”

 Stephen McAloon, a Independence Lane resident remained in favor of  the parking restrictions. McAloon, like many Independence Lane residents became concerned earlier this year when a fire truck could not make a left from Liberty Pole to Independence Lane due to the congestion of cars.

 "This is an ongoing problem,” said Independence Lane resident Stephen McAloon.  “All the solutions to date have been short term.”

To solve the parking issue and safety concerns,  many parents proposed there be no parking around the loop on Independence Ln.  Some also proposed there be school zone signs and ‘Slow Down’ signs to reduce cars from speeding on the road. Other parents compromised with implementing parking restriction signs on just the even-number side of the street.

 To provide a safe and alternative-parking situation, Principal Burns has instituted the Liberty Pole carpool loop back in November.  This is something she had also notified Liberty Pole parents about through notices.  This was designed so parents would pull up with their vehicles in one single line to the red sign in front of the on Main St.  Each car is required to have their  child's name on the passenger side of the vehicle.  Once the cars reach the sign, they can drop of their children or pick them up and then move on.  According to Burns, between 25 to 30 vehicle participate in the carpool loop on a daily basis. Parents in attendance agreed with Burns that the Liberty Pole Loop has been very successful, however they still believe Independence Lane should be available as another option.

 Even with the Liberty Pole Loop, Traffic Committee Chairman and Police Sgt. Steven Dearth believes the problems will continue on Independence Lane.  Dearth said the volunteer compliance is helpful, but in reality it will not always work.

“This is great but we can’t be dealing with this every year,” Dearth said.

 Superintendent Dorothy Galo shared similar beliefs as the meeting came to a close.

“In the end I do think we need signage,” said Dr. Galo.  “In the end there are people who don’t comply and we need to look to enforcement.”

 Paul Healey of Hingham Planning Board and Traffic Committee said the issue will not be discussed at the next Selectmen meeting and the committee will take time to discuss the issue. Hingham residents are welcome to present any parking ideas or suggestions to Sgt. Dearth.