New Ordinance to Prohibit Parking on Oxford Lane

At the last meeting of the Mayor and Council, an ordinance was introduced that would prohibit parking on either side of the borough's easement on Oxford Lane.

The easement has been discussed at recent council meetings with several residents coming forward to complain specifically about the owners of 992 Oxford Lane. Residents contend the homeowners intimidate those who use the easement to access the woods. Both the easement and the woods are public property.

The borough granted the easement nearly 15 years ago to allow the homeowners to pave a driveway, allowing access to their property. 

"The deed of easement states they are not to unreasonably interfere with those who were trying to go to New Milford woods area along this easement," said Borough Administrator Christine Demiris, at the May 9 meeting.

Borough Attorney Mark Madaio suggested several options for remedying the situation including the possible rescinding of the easement. In more recent weeks, the Mayor and Council are moving toward the installation of signage indicating that no parking is allowed. 

However, when the borough consulted the traffic ordinance covering no parking designations it became clear that it needed to be amended in order to place signs on Oxford Lane at the easement. 

"The members of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of New Milford have found that the present ordinance does not adequately address the safety concerns that presently affect the residents of New Milford," states the ordinance.

Ordinance 2011:15 would amend the "Parking Prohibited at All Times on Certain Streets" section of the traffic ordinance of the borough.

The amended ordinance would prohibit any parking on either side of the Oxford Lane easement. The amended ordinance was introduced at the June 27 meeting and a public hearing a vote will be held at the July 25 meeting of the Mayor and Council.