Parking Still an Issue for American Legion Senior Center Site

The town will move forward with a new senior center at the old American Legion site, which leaves town boards and committees to once again sort out the parking situation at the tight plot.

Selectwoman Terri Tsagaris said there are a few options on the table for the now vacant plot at 496 Washington St. at a Monday meeting. The town could reclaim spaces at , which are currently being used by high school staff until the school’s parking lot is built. Spaces on Washington Street could be devoted to the site during specifically allotted hours. Also, there’s Morton Park, located directly across from the site and next to the , which is held by the Natural Resources Commission, Tsagaris said.

Two members of the Board of Selectmen have met with NRC Executive Director Janet Bowser and the full board will meet with the full NRC Tuesday, May 29, Tsagaris said.

“The hope is there would be a swap between the selectmen and the NRC for land on the Morton field,” she said.

Tsagaris said the selectmen have land that could potentially be swapped, and if the NRC accepts the proposal it would require a two-thirds “yes” vote at Town Meeting and legislative approval.

The town has met with the and the Police Department to assess the police and future senior center parking needs, Tsagaris said.

“DPW is going to look at creating a plan for additional parking on Morton Park,” she said.

Tsagaris called for Permanent Building Committee approval to update traffic and parking figures in the area. The last study was completed in 2009, she said.

Tsagaris said she is hopeful the plan will be finalized by fall Town Meeting.