Orchard Lane parking proves problem for public works department

NEW LONDON - Mike Phillips wants his plows to make it through the winter without any accidents.

During New London's March 5 City Council meeting, Public Works Director Mike Phillips Jr. raised concerns about Orchard Lane street parking, particularly the stretch of road from Main Street to the top of the hill, making it difficult for him to get his snowplows through following heavy snowfall.

'I've had to back down the hill,” Phillips said during the meeting. 'The rest of the street's fine, it's wider, but just that little corner when you get up there where they park, it's hard to get through there (with a snowplow.)”

According to City Clerk Kasi Howard, households were given notices earlier this year regarding street parking in the winter.

'It was a letter to every address in town making them aware of our snow removal ordinance,” Howard said. 'Their cars should be removed within 24 hours of snowfall.”

However, this means there is still a 24-hour period where Phillips may not be able to get through. Currently, parking is allowed on either side of the road, which Phillips feels increases the danger his snowplows will potentially scrape up against one of the cars parked there. Though there have been no mishaps so far, he would prefer if there were no parking permitted on either side of the road.

'I just don't want to hit someone's vehicle,” Phillips said.

As of reporting, no new parking laws are planned to go into effect; however, Howard will be sending around a reminder to a handful of households in the problem area, reminding them of the city's snow removal ordinance.

The city council will next meet on Tuesday, April 2.