A long-standing practice of sweeping portions of Newport Avenue has been changed by Northampton Borough Council.

The change will make it easier for property owners to remember to move their vehicles and for the borough to sweep the streets.

Borough Manager Gene Zarayko, who resides on Newport Avenue, explained the current dilemma to council at its most recent meeting.

"For years, Newport Avenue, from 14th Street to Laubach Avenue, on the west side, has been posted no parking street cleaning, the first and third Wednesday," Zaryako said. "According to Gregory Morey, our street sweeper operator, this has been a problem for the residents that do not seem to remember when the street sweeping will occur."

Owners of vehicles not moved from the posted routes are either fined or their vehicles are towed, he said.

Zarayko said the administration and public works department researched the problem and came up with a recommendation for borough lawmakers to consider.

"Therefore, it is recommended that we remove the existing signage and post the east side, from 13th Street north to 15th Street, with no parking Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon," Zarayko said.

The new arrangement puts residents on notice that the parking is banned each Thursday, year-round, rather than bimonthly.

Newport Avenue poses parking problems in any event because of its dense population. The narrow roadway allows for parking on only one side of the street.