The anticipated increase in student enrollment, particularly the expansion of pre-K from 30 to 180 students, raised concerns about managing peak traffic times. With the school set to accommodate up to 725 students, community members highlighted potential congestion issues, especially on Fridays when all students would be dismissed simultaneously. These scenarios prompted suggestions for staggered dismissal times to alleviate congestion. Brown’s presentation emphasized the need for a comprehensive traffic management plan to ensure the safety of students and parents.

Concerns were raised about on-site parking and the surrounding roadways. Observations during school hours revealed significant pedestrian safety issues, with cars parked too close to intersections and crosswalks, notably on Charles and Havil Streets. Brown noted the dangers posed by parked vehicles near intersections, which obstructed pedestrian access and created potential hazards for children. The study revealed that narrow streets like Dana Road and Boswell Road were particularly congested, with parked cars leaving only one lane for two-way traffic.

To address these issues, a proposed traffic flow plan included a loop road for drop-offs from Charles Street, designed to accommodate more vehicles without spilling onto the road. The plan provided for 30 parking spaces along the loop’s perimeter, allowing parents to park during drop-off and pick-up times. Additionally, a gate system was proposed to prevent bypassing the drop-off queue by entering the staff parking lot. A separate bus drop-off area was also included to ensure efficient operation independent of car traffic.

Despite these proposed improvements, skepticism remained regarding their effectiveness. Concerns persisted about the capacity of Havil Street to handle increased construction and school-related traffic, given its reputation as one of the town’s most hazardous areas. The presence of construction vehicles, along with other nearby developments such as a church, daycare, and pickleball courts, further complicated the parking and traffic situation. Suggestions included maintaining legal parking spaces on Havil Street to prevent illegal parking in bike lanes and to ensure pedestrian safety, particularly with the proposed elimination of a crosswalk due to the absence of a sidewalk.

Enforcement of parking regulations emerged as a issue, with participants noting that illegal parking persisted despite existing signage. The role of the police department in managing crossing guards and enforcing parking rules was emphasized to enhance safety, especially given the expected increase in foot traffic.

The discussion also touched on construction-related logistics, including managing construction vehicles during school hours and the impact on community traffic patterns. There was a call for a comprehensive traffic study encompassing all ongoing town projects to provide a holistic view of traffic conditions and future projections.