Shelburne Town Council considers changes to winter parking hours

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

While the forecasting of snowy weather is still months away, Shelburne Town Council is already making plans for when winter parking hours will start for the 2025 and 2026 season.

During their meeting on Monday (Sept. 8), Shelburne Town Council received a report from Jennifer Willoughby, director of legislative services, and Jim Moss, director of development and operations, regarding winter parking hours and duration.

In November of 2024, Shelburne Town Council requested that staff review the existing winter parking hours and provide recommendations on the duration and hours for the 2025/2026 winter season.

The Town of Shelburne's current winter parking starts on Nov. 15 and runs until April 15, with enforcement between the hours of 12 a.m. and 7 a.m.

Council was presented with three options:

• Option 1: A revised season starting on Dec. 1 and ending on April 15, for a total of 136 days, with enforcement hours from 12 a.m. to 7 a.m.

• Option 2: A shortened season starting on Dec. 1 and ending on March 31 for a total of 121 days and adjusted hours for enforcement from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m.

• Option 3: Status Quo

Each of the options included exemption dates from Dec. 25 to Dec. 27 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 1.

In the report, staff recommended Council continue with the status quo as it “maximizes the Town's readiness and ensures compliance with minimum maintenance standards”.

“My only concern with shortening it from April 15 is the signi cant ice storm events we've had in the spring,” Willoughby to Council.

Coun. Dan Sample, who brought up the initial request for staff to investigate the winter parking hours, voiced his interest in specifically having the duration of winter parking pushed from Nov. 15 to Dec. 1 instead.

He noted that in 2024, the Town of Shelburne didn't see significant snowfall until Dec. 1.

Coun. Lindsay Wegner supported the push on the start date, but added that she personally supported Option 1.

“I do think we could push it to the Dec. 1 mark. As Coun. Sample mention we didn't really have too much snow last year right up until that day and even if we did it was very light and not something needing the plows to remove,” said Wegner. “I do still like 12 a.m. to 7 a.m. I feel that gives staff more time to make sure they clear as much as they can or make as many passes as well.”

Council did not unanimously agree to change the duration of the winter parking hours.

Coun. Len Guchardi raised concerns that a  fluctuation in the starting date of the winter parking duration would lead to confusion for residents.

Coun. Walter Benotto also expressed interest in leaving the start date as Nov. 15, not due to winter weather forecasts, but rather parking options for residents.

“It gives residents time to figure out where to park additional vehicles for the winter season,” said Benotto.

A motion was brought forward by Coun. Sample to go forward with Option 1, which was seconded by Coun. Wegener. The motion was passed by majority vote.

“We can try it this year, and if we find out it doesn't work, nothing says we can't go back and revisit it again next year,” concluded Shelburne Mayor Wade Mills.